In recent months, xenophobia has fueled legislation, the occupation of cities around the nation, and is the filter through which news is sometimes presented to the public, particularly on social media. How can we discern the truth when information is often presented in a cloud of prejudice and preconceived notions?

One study conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed that individuals who use social media for news are more likely to stereotype and express prejudice, while those who engage in discussions with diverse groups of people and enjoy a wide social network are less likely to stereotype and express prejudice (Ahmed et al., 2021). Carefully considering where we source our news is one way we can guard against prejudice and seek truth. We can also diversify our social circles and invite difficult conversations that challenge our preconceived notions and opinions.

Another study demonstrated the impact of xenophobic policies at the state-level on immigrant health inequities. Using an established social determinants of immigrant health framework, the authors created a measure of structural xenophobia using 14 policies across five domains—access to public health benefits, higher education, labor and employment, driver’s licenses and identification, and immigrant enforcement—over a ten-year period.

They found that state-level policies were exclusionary toward immigrant populations, significantly impacting the health and well-being of individuals and families (Samari et al.,........

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