The Impact of Post-migration Support for Refugees' Job Acquirement in the US

Refugees' employment is considered one of the most important indicators of self-sufficiency in the new country in which they resettle. Previous literature examined several factors that were associated with refugee employment, but most studies focused on refugees' sociodemographic characteristics. Hypothesizing that various resources available to refugees after arrival can impact their employment outcomes, this study examined the influence of both the pre- and post-migration factors. The national-level 2019 Annual Survey of Refugees (ASR) data and logistic regression based on 2,031 individuals were used to examine the inquiry. The results showed that while pre-migration factors such as gender and prior work experience mattered, post-migration factors such as job training and English proficiency also showed strong associations for refugees' work experiences in the U.S. Conversely, welfare assistance did not show positive associations. This study motivates future research into the efficacy of resettlement support and welfare benefits, as well as on the meaning of job and self-sufficiency among refugees.