HBR IdeaCast Immigration, Upward Mobility, and the U.S. Economy
May 31, 2022
Economics professors Ran Abramitzky from Stanford and Leah Boustan from Princeton dive into the complexities of immigration and its impact on the U.S. economy. They share compelling data that challenges the narrative of immigrants as a burden, emphasizing their vital role in innovation and the workforce. Their research showcases inspiring stories of immigrant success and highlights the influence of geography on upward mobility. The conversation also addresses necessary policy changes to support immigrant contributions, urging both political and corporate leaders to rethink their stances.
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Immigrant Assimilation
- Modern immigrants assimilate as quickly as past generations, economically and socially.
- Their children rapidly achieve economic parity with native-born Americans.
Two-Generation Success
- The "rags to riches" narrative is a myth; upward mobility typically takes two generations.
- Children of immigrants often outperform the U.S.-born children from similar economic backgrounds.
Boustan Family Story
- Leah Boustan's family exemplifies typical immigrant progress.
- Her great-grandparents, store owners, saw limited economic advancement, but their children became white-collar workers, including a doctor.
