Overview
Immigrant workers significantly contribute to the US economy but are often concentrated in low-wage jobs and face legal and accreditation barriers to fully utilizing their skills and education. Data and research on immigrant workers can inform efforts to strengthen overall US labor conditions, help expand access to employment opportunities for these workers, and improve alignment between the workforce needs of the US economy and immigrants’ skillsets. Equally important is understanding employers’ key role in creating inclusive workplaces that maximize immigrant workers’ potential within the US labor market.
Featured Content
Worker voice, representation, and power, Immigrant workers, Sectoral bargaining
December 12, 2023
Video
WorkRise Shorts: Economic Security for Low-Wage Immigrant Manicurists with Lisa Fu
California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative executive director Lisa Fu discusses her WorkRise-funded research that examines two specific approaches to elevate the industry—high-road training partnerships and sectoral bargaining—and offers insight into how unions, community partners, workers, and owners can use these strategies to move forward.
December 12, 2023
Employer practices, Immigrant workers
August 16, 2023
Research Summary
Agricultural Worker Shortage to Worsen without Wage Increases
Research finds that workers from Mexico are leaving farm work and are less inclined to participate in US agricultural work unless inflation-adjusted wages rise significantly, which in turn creates incentives for US farm employers to increase wages while seeking labor-saving technological solutions.
August 16, 2023
Worker voice, representation, and power, Immigrant workers
March 03, 2021
Changemaker Q&A
Supporting a Workforce That Makes All Other Work Possible: A Q&A with Palak Shah
National Domestic Workers Alliance's social innovation director shares key insights on the domestic care workforce and the solutions we need to support them.
March 03, 2021
Latest Content
Social determinants of work, Immigrant workers
Last updated on January 01, 2019
Curated Research
Findings from the National Agricultural Workers Survey (2015−2016)
This US Department of Labor report explores the demographic and employment characteristics of hired agricultural workers in the United States, a population that is majority Hispanic, male, and Spanish-speaking.
Last updated on January 01, 2019
Skills and training, Immigrant workers
Last updated on July 17, 2018
Curated Research
Upskilling the Immigrant Workforce to Meet Employer Demand for Skilled Workers
This Urban Institute report highlights strategies to support upskilling for the immigrant workforce employed in lower- and middle-skilled jobs.
Last updated on July 17, 2018
Economic context, Immigrant workers
Last updated on December 09, 2015
Curated Research
The Economic Impact of Naturalization on Immigrants and Cities
Policymakers, educators, and community organizers can use this Urban Institute research to understand how programs that enable immigrants who are eligible for citizenship to become US citizens can be a powerful mechanism for cities to harness the full economic contribution of immigrants and promote local economic development.
Last updated on December 09, 2015