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Socioeconomic Achievement Among Arab Immigrants in the USA: The Influence of Region of Origin and Gender

Author

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  • Abdi M. Kusow

    (Iowa State University)

  • Kristine J. Ajrouch

    (Eastern Michigan University)

  • Mamadi Corra

    (East Carolina University)

Abstract

Based on the Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS) data derived from 2001–2013 samples of the American Community Surveys, we examine the impact of region of origin and gender on socioeconomic achievement variation among Arab immigrants in the USA. Region of origin includes North Africa (Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and Sudan), Levant (Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq), and the Arabian Peninsula (Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen). This examination is particularly important given the prevailing scholarly consensus that Arab immigrants are collectively portrayed as socioeconomically successful. Our analyses suggest two key findings. First, we find that region of origin is not a consistent predictor of earnings. While Arab immigrants from North Africa earned significantly less than those from the Levant, this was only true for males. No significant effect is found for region of origin in all other comparisons (both overall and when the analysis is restricted to males or females). Second, and by contrast, gender, net of other variables is a powerful predictor of earnings (both within regions and across regions).

Suggested Citation

  • Abdi M. Kusow & Kristine J. Ajrouch & Mamadi Corra, 2018. "Socioeconomic Achievement Among Arab Immigrants in the USA: The Influence of Region of Origin and Gender," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 19(1), pages 111-127, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joimai:v:19:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1007_s12134-017-0524-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s12134-017-0524-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Abdi M. Kusow & Sitawa R. Kimuna & Mamadi Corra, 2016. "Socioeconomic Diversity Among African Immigrants in the United States: An Intra-African Immigrant Comparison," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 17(1), pages 115-130, February.
    2. Jen’nan Read, 2013. "Measuring Ethnicity with U.S. Census Data: Implications for Mexicans and Arabs," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 32(4), pages 611-631, August.
    3. Kristin F. Butcher, 1994. "Black Immigrants in the United States: A Comparison with Native Blacks and other Immigrants," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 47(2), pages 265-284, January.
    4. Bernt Bratsberg & James F. Ragan Jr., 2002. "The Impact of Host-Country Schooling on Earnings: A Study of Male Immigrants in the United States," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 37(1), pages 63-105.
    5. Zsembik, Barbara A. & Fennell, Dana, 2005. "Ethnic variation in health and the determinants of health among Latinos," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 61(1), pages 53-63, July.
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