An immigrant jobs survey published earlier this year helps counterclaims that arrivals from other countries are taking jobs from local people in the USA.
The issue was tackled in a report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. The authors looked at claims arrivals were taking native jobs and came to the conclusion they were not, with some exceptions.
The question goes to the heart of one of the main issues in the U.S. Presidential election. Many American workers who are struggling with the tail end of the recession believe immigrants have taken their jobs. It’s a stance that was taken by Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for the White House. He has backed immigration controls including the requirement for jobs to be open to American workers first.
The Economic and Financial Consequences of Immigration study collected research from 14 experts.
Francine D. Blau, an economics professor at Cornell University who led the group, said immigration appears to have little or no adverse effect on the employment prospects or wages of American-born workers.
Immigrant Job Survey Finds New Arrivals Often Earn Less
Indeed, many immigrants who arrived years ago remain in the same low-wage labor markets as new arrivals. Often they earn less and have difficulty finding employment.
Meanwhile, immigrants with a high skills set have a positive impact by spurring innovation and creating more jobs in the United States, the immigrant jobs survey found.
Earlier this year we noted how immigrants are boosting the economy of Texas. While immigrant jobs remain a contentious issue, there is plenty of evidence that workers from overseas are taking jobs that local people don’t want to do anyway.
An article in The Atlantic documented how landscaping companies became the largest employers of non-agricultural guest workers from overseas.
It said Americans shell out as much as $600 on landscaping every year. But it’s hard to find local employees who are willing to do the backbreaking work.
This summer’s report stated that the prospects for sustained economic growth in the United States would be impacted without the contributions of high-skilled immigrants.
However, the question about whether immigrants impact local budgets is a more complex one. Professor Blau said the first generation of arrivals usually cost governments more than they contribute in taxes. However, by the second generation. they are contributing more than they take from local coffers.
This immigrant jobs survey is generally good news for arrivals from abroad who often face discrimination and stigma. If you need help with an immigration matter, please contact our Austin family immigration lawyers at (512) 399-2311.