Inscribed on the Statue of Liberty is Emma Lazarus's "The New Colossus," which promises a safe harbor for immigrants and ends with the line, "I lift my lamp beside the golden door." However, the journey through the Golden Door has been challenging for many immigrants. An AI company specializing in video translations, Vidby, surveyed 1,000 immigrants over 18 years old in America about their experiences with discrimination. Eight out of ten reported having faced discrimination. Here are the key findings:
1. **Finding a New Community**: Two-thirds of respondents said they struggled to find a community and reported being mocked or excluded due to their accents. Additionally, a quarter mentioned they don't feel safe or welcome.
2. **Troubles at Work**: 61% experienced discrimination at work because of language or cultural barriers, while 40% believed they missed out on a job or promotion due to their immigrant status.
3. **Discrimination While Dating**: 35% stated they were denied a date because they were immigrants, and 73% felt finding a relationship was more difficult than in their home country. Among those who dated, 46% said their partners' parents disapproved because they were foreigners.
"For anyone who has lived abroad, learning to communicate effectively is a familiar struggle. Perhaps it’s time for a rethink about expectations when it comes to how we communicate across borders, as new technologies make it possible to bridge gaps between languages," said Vidby founder Alexander Konovalov.