Over the last several years, immigration has become an increasingly contentious issue in the United States. Though the majority of Americans tend to view immigration – at least, economically- as an undifferentiated issue, the truth is that immigration in 21st century America is as complex and diverse as it was in its 19th century heyday. Today, among the manifold groups of migrants coming to the U.S. from all over the world, two dominant immigration patterns to the US have emerged that will shape the future United States. The first concerns migration from Latin and South America. Migrants from the South predominantly are low-wage and low-skilled laborers that enter the United States in search of upward economic mobility. Besides legal immigration, this group also includes a sizeable number of individuals who enter the country illegally along the almost 2000-mile long Mexican-American border, often risking their lives in the process. The second fundamental demographic that shapes U.S. immigration today comes from the East and involves highly educated and specialized professionals from countries such as Korea, Japan, China, and India.
It is no surprise that of all ethnicities entering the United States from Asia the majority come from the regions two most populous countries, China and India. Those who immigrate from these countries are especially appealing to American employers because of their educational background. Both China and India are producing large numbers of highly skilled graduates who are readily employable in the quickly expanding healthcare and technology sectors in the big metropolitan areas of the East and West Coast. In India, for instance, approximately 1.5 million students graduate with an engineering degree every year. A number approximately ten times the amount of American engineering graduates.
Statistics certainly tell an important part of the story of contemporary immigration; however, it is equally rewarding to consider the larger context. In many economies having 150,000 domestically trained engineers join the workforce each year would be reason for celebration. Yet, considering America’s growing domestic oil and gas industry as well as double-digit growth rates of other industry heavily reliant on engineers the domestic economy is facing a deficit of trained professionals. It is exactly this deficit that explains why, in 2005 for example, Indians obtained more than 100,000 H-1B (skilled employment) visas.
Immigration is about more than employment. While the job may on paper be a perfect fit lifestyle, cultural surrounding and others factor might prevent an employee from exceling in their new position. More and more companies are therefore taking preventive steps and attempt to safeguard themselves and the potential employee from future disappointment and unnecessary expenses and implement an elaborate screening and testing process prior to hiring. One way of assuring this is by employing a communication and/or translation company to aid in the selection of candidates, translate relevant materials and interpret a conference calls and business meetings.
As a longstanding partner of HR departments of some of the world’s biggest corporations we can help you with the process of recruiting and training employees from all levels. Contact EVS Translations today to discuss what we can do for you.
