Some California residents worry that more immigration could lead to fewer jobs and lower wages for U.S. citizen workers. However, a study published on Sept. 21 by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine showed that the impact of immigrants on the job prospects of native-born workers is minor. The report also showed some evidence that immigration has a positive effect on the U.S. economy.
To write their report, researchers looked at trends in demographics and economics in the U.S. over the last two decades. The researchers found little evidence that job prospects for native-born workers are affected by immigration trends. Where a small negative impact was found, the impact only affected workers who were once immigrants themselves and workers who do not have a high school diploma.
The report stated that immigration has a positive long-term impact on the U.S. economy because it ultimately leads to entrepreneurship, innovation and economic growth. If first-generation immigrants do not make a contribution to economic growth in the U.S., their second-generation children do. Researchers say that second-generation immigrants in the U.S. contribute more tax dollars than first-generation immigrants or native-born citizens who were not children of immigrants.
Some people come to the U.S. to fill jobs that require specialized skills or to help launch a new company. An immigration attorney may be able to help foreign workers to apply for visas so that they can fill specialty occupations in the U.S. If a foreign worker’s visa is expiring soon, an attorney may be able to help apply for an extension or petition for a change of immigration status.
