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Positioned at Extremes: Future Job Placements of Immigrant Students at U.S. Colleges

Author

Listed:
  • Francis Dillon
  • Sari Pekkala Kerr
  • William R. Kerr
  • Andrew Wang

Abstract

Immigrant students who attend U.S. colleges are disproportionately employed in either large firms—especially multinationals—or small firms and self-employment. Using linked Census and longitudinal employment data, we trace the jobs taken by college students in 2000 during the 2001-20 period and evaluate four mechanisms shaping sector and firm size placement: geographic clustering, degree specialization, firm capabilities/visas, and ethnic self-employment specialization. Degree fields predict large firm and MNE placement, while ethnic specialization explains small firm sorting. Immigrant students who remain in the U.S. earn more than their native peers, suggesting the segmentation reflects productive sorting rather than blocked opportunity.

Suggested Citation

  • Francis Dillon & Sari Pekkala Kerr & William R. Kerr & Andrew Wang, 2026. "Positioned at Extremes: Future Job Placements of Immigrant Students at U.S. Colleges," Working Papers 26-08, Center for Economic Studies, U.S. Census Bureau.
    • Handle: RePEc:cen:wpaper:26-08
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    File URL: https://www2.census.gov/library/working-papers/2026/adrm/ces/CES-WP-26-08.pdf
    File Function: First version, 2026
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • F66 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - Labor
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups
    • M16 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - International Business Administration

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