Labor Market Outcomes of Contemporary Refugees Resettled in the United States

• In Event: 1132 - Arabs and Arab Americans

Abstract

This paper examines labor market disparities between refugees resettled in the United States. Using administrative data from the International Rescue Committee (IRC), one of the largest resettlement Agencies in the U.S., I explore heterogeneous labor market penalties of refugees based on individual religious identification and ethnic backgrounds. I find that there are no discernible employment disparities between religious affiliations of refugees when it comes to employment odds and Wages. However, Refugees from Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East respectively experience a 2.7% and 2.3% percentage point reduction in employment compared to refugees from Latin America. They also experience a 4.6% and 5.3% reduction to their hourly wages compared to refugees from Latin America.

Author

• Ferdose Y Idris, Princeton University