Workplace Immigration: Employers See It as Key to Growth and U.S. Competitiveness

This report summarizes the results of a January 2023 survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) of its members. The survey sample consisted of more than 2,500 companies of varying size and from different sectors and geographic locations. The survey tried to gauge employers’ experience with immigrant employees and with the immigration system as a whole, and to learn what changes employers would like to see in the immigration system. The survey found that nearly half of employers were experiencing workforce disruptions due to a shortage of workers, and about 10 percent of these say they will have to reduce or shut down production. Nearly all of the employers that have foreign-born employees report positive experiences with these employees, but only about half say their experience with the U.S. immigration system has been positive. The report lists the top suggestions made by employers to improve the overall employment-based immigration system, and a number of more specific suggestions for improving various temporary worker and student worker visa processes. (Maurice Belanger, Maurice Belanger Associates)

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