Economic Integration of Immigrants in the United States: Long- and Short-Term Perspectives

This paper describes the occupational niches and contributions of diverse groups of immigrants and their children within the U.S. economy. The author emphasizes the impact of the global economic crisis on the economic prospects of immigrants. 

Although the workplace in the U.S., in contrast to other immigrant-receiving countries, has traditionally functioned as "one of the country’s most powerful immigrant-integrating institutions,” the author suggests that the uncertain economic outlook "could realign the economic and social forces that have historically propelled the intergenerational upward mobility of immigrants (and natives)." 

In addition, budget cuts on the federal, state and local levels, especially in public education, could weaken "the public and community-based institutions and programs that historically promote upward intergenerational mobility among the children of immigrants."

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