The Impact of Resettlement Support on Refugees' Employment Outcomes in Relation to Pre-Migration Characteristics

Background and Purpose: Refugees’ employment is considered one of the most important indicators of self-sufficiency in the new country in which they resettle. Previous literature examined several factors that were associated with refugee employment, but most studies focused on refugees’ socioeconomic characteristics before coming to the United States (U.S.). Hypothesizing that the environment after coming to the U.S. can make a difference in refugees’ resettlement outcomes, this study examined the impact of both the pre- and post-migration factors, particularly focusing on various resettlement support provided for refugee populations such as language and job trainings and welfare programs.

Methods: This study used the 2019 Annual Survey of Refugees (ASR) data, the only national-level dataset that focuses on refugees’ progress toward self-sufficiency, including the aspect of job acquirement. The 2019 ASR is based on interviews conducted in early 2020 with the refugees who entered the U.S. between 2014 and 2018. Our study focuses on working-age populations (aged between 18 and 64), which yielded the final sample of 2,130 individuals from 13 different countries of birth. The outcome variable was refugees’ current working status (Yes=1, No=0). Independent variables included refugees’ demographic variables (i.e., age, gender), time of arrival, education level before coming to the U.S., pursuit of education after coming to the U.S., work experience before coming to the U.S., English proficiency before and after coming to the U.S., and reception of cash-based, noncash-based welfare assistance (e.g., food stamps, public housing), and medical support. A multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression was used to examine the fixed effects of the variables above as well as the random effects of the country of birth.

Results: In terms of demographic characteristics, male refugees (OR=2.67, 95% CI [2.16, 3.31]) and those who were younger (OR=0.98, 95% CI [0.97, 1.00]) were more likely to work. In terms of pre-migration factors, those who had higher educational attainment (OR=1.02, 95% CI [1.01, 1.06]) and those who had employment (OR=2.09, 95% CI [1.66, 2.64]) before coming to the U.S were more likely work. Post-migration factors such as English training (OR=1.24, 95% CI [1.04, 1.47], English proficiency (OR=1.24, 95% CI [1.04, 1.48], and job training (OR=2.66, 95% CI [1.88, 3.75]) were found to have significant associations with refugees’ current job status. Refugees who were pursuing education (OR=0.61, 95% CI [0.46, 0.80]) or receiving noncash-based welfare assistance (OR=0.67, 95% CI [0.57, 0.79]) and medical support (OR=0.57, 95% CI [0.47, 0.71]) were less likely to work after resettlement. Time of arrival, English proficiency before coming to the U.S., and cash-based welfare support were not significant factors.

Conclusion and Implications: This study reveals the importance of post-migration support for refugees’ access to jobs along with that of pre-migration characteristics. This study also raises an inquiry into the role of welfare assistance as it was either not statistically significant or negatively associated with refugees’ job status. Future research that expands on the meaning of job and self-sufficiency will help to discuss the impact of resettlement support and welfare benefits more holistically.