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A Comparison of Wages by Gender and Region of Origin for Newly Arrived Refugees in the USA

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  • Olive Melissa Minor

    (International Rescue Committee)

  • Michelle Cameo

    (International Rescue Committee)

Abstract

The resettlement model supported by the US government aims to help recently arrived refugees achieve economic self-reliance within the first 90 to 180 days of arrival. In addition to the challenges they face in adapting to their new locations, however, refugees enter a US labor market characterized by preexisting wage disparities based on race and gender. Meanwhile, recent changes in US refugee and immigration policies have infused debates over nationalism, Islamophobia, and the economics of resettlement. In this context, it is critical to assess whether refugees face wage discrimination that may affect their ability to become economically self-reliant. Drawing on the International Rescue Committee’s administrative data on refugee resettlement, we examine the extent to which starting wages for newly arrived refugees differ by region of origin and gender. The study found consistent gender pay gaps among the majority of new arrivals. The study also identified lower wages for refugees arriving from sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean compared to other regions. These trends suggest a need for more consistent agency monitoring of employment placement, and the development of strategies to ensure more equitable employment outcomes for refugees.

Suggested Citation

  • Olive Melissa Minor & Michelle Cameo, 2018. "A Comparison of Wages by Gender and Region of Origin for Newly Arrived Refugees in the USA," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 19(3), pages 813-828, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joimai:v:19:y:2018:i:3:d:10.1007_s12134-018-0581-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s12134-018-0581-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Francine D. Blau & Lawrence M. Kahn, 2017. "The Gender Wage Gap: Extent, Trends, and Explanations," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 55(3), pages 789-865, September.
    2. Steven J. Gold, 1992. "The Employment Potential of Refugee Entrepreneurship: Soviet Jews and Vietnamese in California," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 11(2), pages 176-186, June.
    3. Marianne Bertrand & Sendhil Mullainathan, 2004. "Are Emily and Greg More Employable Than Lakisha and Jamal? A Field Experiment on Labor Market Discrimination," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 94(4), pages 991-1013, September.
    4. Lori A. Beaman, 2012. "Social Networks and the Dynamics of Labour Market Outcomes: Evidence from Refugees Resettled in the U.S," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 79(1), pages 128-161.
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    Cited by:

    1. Wesam B. Darawsheh & Sawsan Tabbaa & Megan Bewernitz & Michael Justiss, 2022. "Resettlement Experiences of Syrian Refugees in the United States: Policy Challenges and Directions," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 23(2), pages 591-612, June.
    2. Maissa Khatib & Tanya Purwar & Rushabh Shah & Maricarmen Vizcaino & Luciano Castillo, 2024. "Empowerment and integration of refugee women: a transdisciplinary approach," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-18, December.

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