Physical and mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic among college students who are undocumented or have undocumented parents

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic may have disproportionately affected the mental and physical health of undocumented students and students with undocumented parents. METHODS: We analyzed primary data from 2111 California college students collected March–June 2020. We estimated the odds of mental or physical health being affected “a great deal” by COVID by immigration group and then examined whether this was moderated by campus belonging or resource use. RESULTS: Students with undocumented parents were least likely to report COVID-related mental and physical health effects. Undocumented students and students whose parents have lawful immigration status did not differ in their COVID-related physical and mental health. For all students, more campus resource use and higher campus belonging were associated with negative mental and physical health effects. DISCUSSION: Negative COVID-related mental and physical health was widespread. Separation from campus-based resources was detrimental during the early stages of the pandemic. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-11606-x.