The economic performance of Asian immigrants entering the U.S. between 1975 and 1979

This study examines the economic performance of Asian immigrants during their first years in the United States. The earnings levels of Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, and Vietnamese immigrants entering the U.S. between 1975 and 1979 were compared with the usual earnings patterns of immigrants found in the work of Barry Chiswick. The primary factors influencing the earnings levels of people in different immigrant groups were found to be the transferability of skills and levels of self-selection. These factors are to be expected when using a study framework based on a conventional human capital model. Earnings equations were estimated using 1980 Census data to measure earnings differentials between new Asian immigrants and the native-born. The earnings levels of refugees (Vietnamese) and economic immigrants (Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, and Korean) were compared to identify differences.