To H-1B or Not to H-1B? Inequality and Social Closure in U.S. Immigrant Work Authorizations

• In Event: 212 - Section on Inequality, Poverty and Mobility Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 04. Immigration and Inequality

Abstract

Scholars have long investigated the unequal employment outcomes of U.S. immigrants from less developed sending countries. This study examines government agents’ role in such processes. I analyze 60 months of agents’ H-1B work authorization decisions, which shape immigrants’ U.S. careers. Even without explicit evaluation criteria regarding origin country, initial employment denials are more likely for immigrants from less developed countries, controlling for education, salary, occupation, and other key characteristics. Second, by applying social closure theories, I find no sending country effects when agents evaluate requests to change job or employer (once legal standing, and thus “group access” has been granted).

Author

• Ben A. Rissing, Brown University