According to a new report by the American Immigration Council, well-established refugee communities in the United States are economically successful, surpassing the national average in household income and entrepreneurship.
The report reveals that household income for refugees significantly increases the longer they reside in the United States. On average, refugee households that have been in the country for five years or less earn approximately $30,500 per year. However, after 20 years in the country, that figure jumps to $71,400, which is $4,300 higher than the national median income.
The study examined data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) from 2015 to 2019. It focused on 2.4 million individuals likely to be refugees based on their country of origin and date of arrival in the United States. The Census Bureau does not collect data on immigration status.
Released on World Refugee Day, the report used the 2.4 million respondents as a representative sample of the roughly 3.5 million refugees in the country. The findings showed that the sample group generated approximately $93.6 billion in household income in 2019. They also paid $25 billion in taxes and had nearly $70 billion in disposable income.
Nan Wu, the research director of the American Immigration Council, emphasized the entrepreneurial spirit of refugees. The report showed that 13 percent of refugees are entrepreneurs, compared to 9 percent of the U.S.-born population and 11.7 percent of non-refugee immigrants.
Furthermore, refugees demonstrate a high level of civic engagement and integration into American society. After 20 years of residency, 89.9 percent of refugees choose to become U.S. citizens, compared to 67.5 percent of other immigrants. The survey also revealed that the sample group had a homeownership rate of 59.2 percent, higher than other immigrant groups (51.7 percent) but lower than the rate for U.S.-born individuals (65.7 percent).
The report serves as a reminder of the global refugee crisis, with over 100 million people displaced from their homes in 2022, according to the United Nations. In the Western Hemisphere alone, 20 million people were displaced. The Biden administration has set a goal of accepting 125,000 refugees in 2023; however, experts believe this target may be challenging to achieve.
It’s important to note that the American Immigration Council report takes into account the nearly 180,000 Afghans and Ukrainians who have entered the United States through humanitarian parole.
Nan Wu hopes that the report will stimulate discussions on the significance of refugee resettlement and highlight the invaluable contributions refugees make to communities. Recognizing refugees as drivers of economic growth and social progress can lead to a more inclusive and prosperous future for all.
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