Hate Crimes, Immigration Enforcement Fuel a Public Health Crisis for Pacific Islanders

February 4, 2026

A national survey conducted by Stop AAPI Hate and NORC at the University of Chicago reveals that Pacific Islander communities are experiencing a public health crisis driven by escalating hate crimes and immigration enforcement policies. Nearly half of Pacific Islander adults reported experiencing harassment, discrimination, or violence in 2024 based on their race or ethnicity, with 58 percent of victims reporting negative mental or physical health consequences including anxiety, depression, and social isolation. The crisis is compounded by existing healthcare gaps, lack of culturally appropriate services, and widespread underreporting due to mistrust of institutions and fear of retaliation.

Who is affected

Pacific Islander adults, particularly young adults ages 18-29 (62% experienced hate)
Pacific Islander students and parents in educational settings
Immigrant and immigrant-descended communities of color broadly
LGBTQ community members
Black, Jewish, and other racial and religious minorities
Victims of intersectional discrimination (targeting race, ethnicity, age, class, or gender)
People from Tonga, Fiji, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu (affected by travel restrictions)
Communities experiencing poverty and low incomes

What action is being taken

Stop AAPI Hate is conducting national surveys in partnership with NORC at the University of Chicago
The Trump Administration is implementing aggressive immigration enforcement policies
Immigration enforcement operations are occurring in cities nationwide
67 percent of Pacific Islander adults participated in efforts to confront racism in 2024

Why it matters

This represents a public health crisis where hate crimes are directly causing measurable health deterioration in Pacific Islander communities, with those experiencing hate showing twice the rate of moderate to severe anxiety or depression compared to those who did not. The impacts extend beyond mental health to disrupt economic stability, relationships, and daily life in communities already facing historical injustices including colonization, militarization, and nuclear testing. With over 60 percent of hate incidents going unreported due to mistrust and fear, and most victims who seek help finding services inadequate, the health disparities are likely to deepen without intervention, perpetuating cycles of harm in already vulnerable populations.

What's next

The report recommends:
Prioritizing mental health and healing
Expanding culturally responsive health and counseling services
Improving data disaggregation for Pacific Islanders
Strengthening rights education and civic participation
Respondents expressed strong optimism about cross-racial solidarity and motivation to pursue equity and justice in 2025.

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint