Influence of English Proficiency on the Employment Outcomes of Central African Immigrants in the United States.

• In Event: 30226 - Centering the Experiences of Workers in an Unequal Labor Market

Abstract

Studies on African immigrants in the United States reveal that this group is highly educated and skilled, with high English proficiency significantly enhancing their labor market integration and employment outcomes. However, a gap remains in these studies, as immigrants from African countries where English is not the official language are often overlooked. This research aims to examine how migrants from Central African countries (Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Republic of Congo) where English is not the official language, fare in employment compared to immigrants from Nigeria and Ghana, where English is the official language due to colonial history. Using a 2018–2022 five-year sample (n=28,995) from IPUMS ACS, this study analyzes the employment outcomes of African immigrants based on their English proficiency. The findings indicate that African immigrants from countries like Nigeria have a higher likelihood of employment compared to those from the Central African region. Additionally, factors such as English fluency, citizenship status, and longer residence in the United States significantly increase the likelihood of employment.

Authors

• Lydia Mabel Okabe, University of Texas at Austin

• Hyacinth Udah, James Cook University