Every year, thousands of highly educated immigrants come to the United States with degrees, professional experience, and strong ambitions. Many are doctors, engineers, lawyers, or scientists in their home countries.

However, when they arrive in the United States, many find themselves working in jobs far below their qualifications. This issue, often called “brain waste,” was studied, and it was found that “across the United States, nearly 2 million immigrants with college degrees are unemployed or stuck in low-skilled jobs.” This not only harms immigrants but also affects the American economy in the long run.

One major reason for this problem is the difficulty of transferring foreign credentials. Degrees and professional licenses from other countries are not always recognized in the United States. 

For example, a doctor who practiced medicine for years in another country may have to repeat years of schooling, exams, and training before being allowed to practice again. According to Brigham Young’s Ballard Center for Social Impact, “a survey of over 4,000 skilled immigrants found that 40% of immigrants said their employers did not recognize foreign work experience, and 35% of skilled immigrants said that their employers did not recognize foreign credentials.”

Many families that come to the United States want to start a new life and don’t want to repeat schooling; they just want to start their lives. Schooling takes time and thousands of dollars that many new immigrants don’t have when they first come to the United States.  

Employers often prefer candidates with U.S. work experience, which newly arrived immigrants may not yet have. As a result, many skilled workers remain stuck in jobs that do not reflect their education or abilities.

This underemployment has serious consequences. Studies estimate that these highly educated immigrants lose about $39.4 billion in wages every year because they cannot work in jobs that match their degrees. The government loses approximately $10.2 billion in tax revenue annually as a result of this lost income. These numbers show that the problem not only affects immigrants, but it also impacts the broader economy.

The United States has long benefited from the talents and ideas of people who come from around the world. When highly qualified immigrants are forced into low-skill jobs, their potential is wasted.