A naturalization ceremony Grand Canyon, September 24, 2010, Credit: Grand Canyon National Park/Wikimedia Commons
Immigrants from travel ban-affected countries are highly educated. with 46% of them age 25+ having a bachelor’s degree or higher, according to a new report by George Mason University’s Institute for Immigration Research.
The report, to be released next week, also provides a comparative look at the educational attainment levels of native-born Americans and immigrants overall from around the world.
Compared with immigrants from countries facing U.S. travel ban for their citizens, 30% of native-born American citizens have a bachelor’s or higher degree.
All other immigrants in the United States boast 28% of them having a college graduate degree or higher.
According to Professor James Witte, Director of the Institute for Immigration Research the finding highlights contributions of immigrants from travel ban affected countries.
President Donald Trump, citing security concerns over arrival of people form countries including those in conflict zones, has banned entry of travelers. The U.S. Administration also contends these countries do not have adequate data to share on the travelers.
But human rights defenders and pro-immigration advocates have opposed the move, saying no countries or communities can be subjected to a blanket ban and that the United States will miss out on talented workforce from these countries.
A Pew Research study last year found that the United States needs to take in immigrant workforce to sustain higher growth levels for the next few decades.
