Workers who are born overseas are much more likely than those who were born in the United States to either hold an advanced degree or not have a high school degree at all, which makes it easier in either case for them to be placed into jobs than is often the case with native workers, according to Bloomberg. Those who are at the front of the campaign for immigration reform in the United States point out that the upshot of this is an increase in overall economic growth and a lowering of the unemployment figures.
In the three-year period between 2009 and 2012, the number of foreign-born workers in the United States increased by 6.5% to 23 million; this is in comparison to the figure of 119.5 million native workers, which saw an increase of just 1%. Immigrants bring skill sets to the economy that serve to fill the gaps and to increase the level of expansion in industries that are already starting to show growth.
Economic theory and historical evidence demonstrate that immigration results in an increase in living standards, as well the stimulation of new investment and the boosting of productivity, according to an article in the Idaho Statesman from Northwest Nazarene University professor of finance and economics Peter Crabb.
Research released in March last year by the Brooking Institution shows that immigrants make up a bigger share of the workforce in rapidly growing industries.