Mental Health Outcomes Among Undocumented Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American Immigrants: A Systematic Review of Quantitative Evidence (2013-2025)

Background and Purpose: In the context of restrictive immigration policies, anti-immigrant sentiment, and persistent anti-Asian racism, the mental health of undocumented Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American (APIDA) immigrants remains largely overlooked in research. By 2060, the APIDA population in the United States is projected to reach 46 million, with substantial growth in undocumented communities. Currently, over 1.73 million undocumented immigrants are of APIDA descent. Undocumented APIDA immigrant adults navigate complex, multifaceted identities shaped by intersecting social, political, and historical forces. Despite these intersecting identities and experiences, quantitative research systematically examining their mental health outcomes remains sparse. This systematic review consolidates existing quantitative evidence from 2013 to 2025, identifying both mental health outcomes and protective factors, as well as gaps relevant to research, practice, and policy in immigration and social work.

Methods: Guided by PRISMA methodology, we conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed quantitative studies published between 2013 and 2025. Fourteen databases were searched, supplemented by reference list screening. Studies were included if they explicitly examined mental health outcomes among undocumented APIDA adults in the United States. Data were extracted on study characteristics, sample composition, measures, reported outcomes, and predictors of mental health.

Results: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. Depression and anxiety emerged as the most frequently assessed outcomes, with depression prevalence ranging from 26% to 62% in studies focused exclusively on undocumented APIDA participants. Three studies found that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients reported lower odds of depression compared to undocumented peers, highlighting the potential mental health benefits of immigration protections. Across studies, formal mental health service utilization was low. Key predictors of mental health outcomes included social capital, stress overload, acculturative stress, history of mental illness, and everyday racism. Few studies examined suicide attempts, somatization, or service utilization in depth. Overall, the findings illuminate both the mental health challenges faced by undocumented APIDA immigrants and sources of resilience, while revealing critical gaps in subgroup analyses, longitudinal research, and immigration-specific variables.

Conclusions and Implications:

This review consolidates the limited quantitative evidence available on this population and identifies critical gaps in the literature, including small sample sizes, limited subgroup disaggregation, and minimal attention to protective factors and intervention strategies. By highlighting these gaps, our study provides a foundation for future research and informs service provision, education, policy, and public health efforts aimed at improving mental health equity for undocumented APIDAs.