Differential Employment Patterns for Citizens and Non-Citizens in Science and Engineering in the United States: Minting and Competitive Effects

Abstract

We examine the consequences of the heavy inflow of foreign talent for U.S. scientists and engineers over the period 1973-1997 using data from the Survey of Doctorate Recipients. Of particular interest is whether non-citizens trained in the United States have displaced citizens from jobs in science and engineering (S&E). Using a novel adaptation of the shift-share technique, we find that citizen S&E doctorates have fewer jobs in S&E and fewer academic jobs than would be expected for two reasons: the citizen doctoral population has experienced slower growth than the non-citizen doctoral population and citizen S&E doctorates have been displaced. Whether the displacement observed was a voluntary response of citizens to better opportunities elsewhere or an involuntary response indicative of having been pushed out by foreign talent remains to be determined. Keywords: science policy, employment, and displacement