When people talk about “family-based immigration,” it’s often presented as something separate from “high-skilled immigration” or “merit-based immigration.” But this distinction can be surprising to the millions of U.S. citizens who value their spouses, children, parents, and relatives highly and believe family is an essential part of society.
“Merit-based immigration” typically refers to immigrants who are admitted to the U.S. based on their education, work skills, or job offers. However, it’s important to note that many family-sponsored immigrants are highly educated and skilled. They often have more economic freedom and opportunities than immigrants on work-based visas, who face more restrictions.
Family-Sponsored Immigrants Are Often Highly Educated
Research from the Cato Institute, based on U.S. Census data, reveals that immigrants who receive their green cards through family relationships or the Diversity Visa program are more likely to have college or graduate degrees than native-born U.S. citizens. This is particularly interesting because immigrants who gain green cards through a job offer generally already have a college degree or higher education, as this is a requirement for employment-based visas.
Additionally, the Migration Policy Institute found that the education level of immigrants has been steadily increasing. As of recent data, 48% of immigrants who arrived in the U.S. in the last few years are college graduates. That’s a significant jump compared to just 27% of immigrants a quarter-century ago.
Family-Sponsored Immigrants Contribute to the Workforce
A large percentage of family-sponsored immigrants are working-age adults. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), 77% of immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are of working age. This is important because it shows that most family-sponsored immigrants contribute actively to the U.S. labor market. A smaller percentage (10%) are of retirement age, and these are often parents who come to live with their children.
When looking at other family-sponsored immigrants, about 36% are children. However, very few (only 1.4%) are retired seniors.
Many Family-Sponsored Immigrants Hold Professional Jobs
While DHS data on occupations is available for only about two-thirds of recent immigrants, it appears that many family-sponsored immigrants are employed in significant roles. A large number of them work as homemakers, which is an important and valuable job in itself. However, many family-sponsored immigrants are also in professional or managerial roles, further demonstrating the skills and education they bring to the U.S.
Family-sponsored immigrants contribute to the U.S. economy in important ways. They are often highly educated, hold professional jobs, and add considerable value to their communities. The idea that family-based immigration should be separate from skills-based or merit-based immigration is misleading, as many family-sponsored immigrants are highly skilled and educated. The U.S. benefits from the diverse talents and skills of both family-sponsored and skills-based immigrants alike.
