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Title: Scientists, Managers, and Tourists: The Changing Shape of European Mobility to the United States

Citation Type: Working Paper

Publication Year: 2011

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Abstract: European dominance in US immigration flows has waned since World War II, a result of economic, demographic, and policy trends on both sides of the Atlantic. Today, immigrants from European Union(EU) Member States represent about 10 percent of all permanent immigrants to the United States,down from over half in the mid-20th century and 90 percent in the mid-19th century.That said, Europe punches above its weight as a source of high-end workers (both temporary and permanent). Substantial numbers of European scientists, professionals, and businesspeople come to the United States for its high-quality universities and research centers, or to join the US offices of global firms. EU citizens are particularly well represented among the ranks of exceptionally talented O-1 visa recipients.Individuals who immigrate from the European Union to the United States differ significantly from other immigrant groups. They earn more; are more highly educated; are better represented in professional, managerial, and scientific occupations; and have greater English proficiency than other immigrants. They also tend to be older than other immigrants (most often because they arrived earlier) and are more likely to be naturalized citizens.Because the immigration debate in the United States usually focuses on the large unauthorized population, these highly skilled migration flows from the European Union have maintained a relatively low profile in policy circles. However, these flows have, on occasion, made their way into the immigration policy debate. Perhaps the single most significant policy affecting movement from the European Union to the United States is the Visa Waiver Program(VWP), which primarily benefits Europeans and which has facilitated an increase in the short-term mobility of tourists and business visitors. In light of the large flows of people traveling across the Atlantic and the fact that many have the option of visa-free travel, border security measures have been the main focus of EU-US dialogues in the field of migration. Other potential areas of cooperation such as labor migration and the circulation of professionals have received little attention.

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Authors: Sumption, Madeleine; Hu, Xiaochu

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Institution: Migration Policy Institute

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Publisher Location: Washington, D.C.

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Labor Force and Occupational Structure, Migration and Immigration

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