Self-employed Immigrants: An Analysis of Recent Data
Self-employment has traditionally represented and continues to be an important route for immigrants to enter the American economic mainstream and improve their socioeconomic standing. In many metropolitan areas, immigrant-owned small businesses have fueled the growth in the minority small business sector, and have become an integral aspect of urban revitalization and community development. This Chicago Fed Letter discusses the factors that influence the self-employment decision and presents an analysis of immigrant self-employment, based on the most recent Census data for 2000.
