Global Affairs Expert Webinar Series

Introduction

• Host: Ted Alden
  • Senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations
  • Visiting professor at Western Washington University
  • Author of "When the World Closed Its Doors"
• Session: Winter to Spring 2025 Global Affairs Expert webinar series
• Speaker: Giovanni Perry
  • C. Brian Cameron Distinguished Professor in International Economics
  • Founder and director of the Global Migration Center at UC Davis
  • Research associate at NBER
  • Author of "The Economics of International Migration"

Main Topic: Migration and Labor Economics

Economics of Immigration

• Trends in Foreign Born in the US
  • Steady growth since 1960
  • Distinction between low and high education levels
  • Recent increase in college-educated immigrants
• Integration into US Economy
  • Immigrants integrate quickly into the labor market
  • Employment rates for major immigrant groups (Mexican, Chinese, Indian) reach or exceed native levels within 10 years

Economic Impact of Immigration

• GDP and Productivity Growth
  • Immigrants contribute to GDP growth and productivity
  • Significant contributions to investment and innovation
  • Entrepreneurial immigrants enhance productivity
• Effects on Wages and Employment
  • Immigrants increase employment opportunities
  • No significant negative impact on wages, especially for low-skilled

Post-COVID Immigration Trends

• 2022-2023 Period
  • Bump in immigration due to post-COVID and policy changes
  • Partially offset declining US labor force
  • High job vacancies indicate demand for immigrant labor

Challenges and Policy

• Future of Immigration Policies
  • Economic benefits of immigration
  • Political challenges and cultural factors influencing policy
  • Potential negative impacts of restrictive policies on economic growth

Discussion and Questions

Impact on Education and Innovation

• Concerns about restrictions affecting education sector and innovation
• Importance of universities in attracting high-skilled immigrants

Productivity Comparisons

• Discussion of productivity in the US vs. other countries like Canada

Labor Market and Automation

• Concerns about automation affecting low-skilled job opportunities
• Potential longer-term impact of AI and robotics

Global and Cultural Context

• Discussion of immigration policies in various countries
• Importance of maintaining personal ties and soft power

Conclusion

• Next Session: April 2nd, with Jennifer Nuzzo on public health emergencies
• Opportunities: Paid internships at CFR, fellowships for professors

Resources

• CFR.org for research and analysis
• ForeignAffairs.com for publications

These notes capture the key points from the Global Affairs Expert webinar on migration and labor economics. The discussion highlighted the economic contributions of immigration, integration challenges, and the impact of policies on economic and labor market trends.