Firms and the Economics of Skilled Immigration

Sari Pekkala Kerr; William R. Kerr; William F. Lincoln

Chapter | Innovation Policy and the Economy, Volume 15 | 2015

Firms and the Economics of Skilled Immigration

by Sari Pekkala Kerr, William R. Kerr and William F. Lincoln

Abstract

Firms play a central role in the selection, sponsorship, and employment of skilled immigrants entering the United States for work through programs like the H-1B visa. This role has not been widely recognized in the literature, and the data to better understand it have only recently become available. This paper discusses the evidence that has been assembled to date in understanding the impact of high-skilled immigration from the perspective of the firm and the open areas that call for more research. Since much of the U.S. immigration process for skilled workers rests in the hands of employer firms, a stronger understanding of these implications is essential for future policy analysis, particularly for issues relating to fostering innovation. Firms play a central role in the selection, sponsorship, and employment of skilled immigrants entering the United States for work through programs like the H-1B visa. This role has not been widely recognized in the literature, and the data to better understand it have only recently become available. This paper discusses the evidence that has been assembled to date in understanding the impact of high-skilled immigration from the perspective of the firm and the open areas that call for more research. Since much of the U.S. immigration process for skilled workers rests in the hands of employer firms, a stronger understanding of these implications is essential for future policy analysis, particularly for issues relating to fostering innovation.

Keywords: Business or Company Management; Human Capital; Immigration; Innovation and Invention; United States;

Format: Print

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Citation:

Kerr, Sari Pekkala, William R. Kerr, and William F. Lincoln. "Firms and the Economics of Skilled Immigration." In Innovation Policy and the Economy, Volume 15, edited by William R. Kerr, Josh Lerner, and Scott Stern, 115–152. University of Chicago Press, 2015.

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Firms and the Economics of Skilled Immigration

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