This study investigates how perceptions of immigration relate to individual well-being, measured through self-reported happiness and life satisfaction. Using nationally representative data from the 2017–2021 World Values Survey (Wave 7), we employ probit regression models to examine how beliefs about immigration shape well-being outcomes. Specifically, we focus on whether respondents think immigration increases crime rates or contributes to higher unemployment among citizens in Brazil and the United States. By comparing these two distinct socio-political contexts, the study provides insight into whether and how attitudes toward immigration influence personal evaluations of life.Our preliminary results indicate that individual well-being is associated with a wide range of demographic and socioeconomic factors, including health conditions, education, gender, perceived social class, financial conditions, number of children, marital status, and sense of security. However, both the direction and magnitude of these effects vary between Brazil and the United States. Crucially, perceptions of immigration exhibit significant but divergent influences on well-being across the two countries. Respondents in the United States tend to evaluate immigration more negatively, and these negative perceptions correspond to stronger reductions in reported happiness and life satisfaction compared to respondents in Brazil.The significance of this project lies in its contribution to understanding the psychological and social implications of immigration discourse. As debates over immigration continue to shape political climates worldwide, identifying how such perceptions affect individual well-being offers valuable insight for policymakers and social researchers. By highlighting cross-national differences, this study underscores the importance of cultural, economic, and institutional contexts in shaping both immigration attitudes and their consequences for individual well-being.
