Full Citation
Title: The Relative Performance of African Immigrants in the United States Labor Market
Citation Type: Conference Paper
Publication Year: 1998
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Abstract: In an examination of the impact of black race on earnings in the US, comparing African blacks (immigrants) with native-born blacks & whites & white immigrants, it was theorized that ethnic stratification, vs assimilation, better explains the performance of African immigrants in the US labor market. Ordinary least squares multiple regression models were fitted to data from the 1980 & 1990 US population censuses. Results showed that, in both years, African immigrants had the highest educational attainment among the four groups. Despite this educational advantage, analysis by race & immigration status showed that, in 1980, earnings returns to education for Africans were the lowest for African immigrants followed by native born blacks, foreign-born whites, & native-born whites. By 1990, African immigrants had achieved earnings parity with their native-born black counterparts. Earnings returns to education for Africans were, however, less than those among native & foreign-born whites. A racial hierarchy in earnings is observed, with whites at the top, followed by African Americans & Africans. Findings in both 1980 & 1990 held even after taking human capital characteristics into account, & controlling for possible confounders, eg, duration of US residence, English language proficiency, sex, marital status, fertility, health, & labor supply. It is concluded that African immigrants & native-born blacks are discriminated against in the labor market, & the two groups are uniquely disadvantaged by their race.
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Authors: Kposowa, Augustine J.
Conference Name: American Sociological Association
Publisher Location: San Francisco
Data Collections: IPUMS USA
Topics: Labor Force and Occupational Structure, Migration and Immigration, Race and Ethnicity
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