The immediate effects of 9/11 were numerous and felt almost immediately. When the planes hit the towers smoke full of asbestos violently spread throughout the city and across the east coast. The smoke traveled more than 4.27kms. The attack was heavily televised and airlines temporarily closed flights and The market also suffered almost immediately. The market fell by 10% airlines and insurance companies suffered the most. American airlines were almost driven to bankruptcy.

Many Americans reported spending more time at church and at home after the attack. Patriotism and attacks against Arabs, Muslims, and Hispanics increased. False racial profiling would ensue against people with brown skin complexions. The murder of Balbir Sing Sodi would be the first reported attack after 9/11. He was only one of the countless victims of racially motivated hate crimes.