Introduction
Remote working is the new trend amongst large businesses operating at a global level. Remote working allows professionals to conveniently work outside the normal office environment. Employees can work from wherever they are and at their most convenient time of the day. In the United States, more companies and businesses are now considering this mode of working. During unavoidable circumstances like the continuing health crisis, most businesses have been operating out of the traditional offices. Thus, more of such trends are expected to continue even post-crisis as a new way of operation. Immigrants working in the U.S face many challenges such as the inability to speak English, low educational levels, and hiring discrimination, among others. Therefore, this group of Americans mostly settles for low-paying manual labor jobs while only a few of them work in higher sectors. Thus, the rise of remote work in the U.S will significantly impact the chances of immigrants to work.
Low Level of Education
Working remotely requires the use of technological devices such as computers and smartphones for operation and communication. The ability to effectively use the technological tools greatly lies on a higher training level. Many immigrants in the United States have barely attained a higher level of learning (Papanikolaou & Schmidt 25). Indeed, the majority of the population are those that do manual work because they do not have technological skills. According to Sherman et al., 10% of the U.S general population are immigrants without a four-year college degree (2). It means that the 10% population exclusively does low-wages jobs. From the authors’ analysis, immigrants concentrate in industries including fishing, farming, building maintenance, construction, accommodation, manufacturing, and administrative services (Sherman et al. 1). Therefore, the immigrants are employed in these industries due to a lack of higher education.
Immigrants with a low level of education do not get hired for jobs that may accommodate remote work. Remote working is necessary for jobs that require little manual work and are more technological (Lambert et al. 3). Consequently, due to their lack of higher education attainment, many immigrants cannot afford those jobs. Sherman et al. provide that almost half of the immigrants work for manual jobs in low educational level demanding industries (2). In farming, forestry, and fishing, at least 36% of the immigrants work there and have no four-year college degree. In other sectors, the distribution is, building and ground cleaning 36%, apparel and textile industry 29%, food manufacturing 27%, accommodation 27%, construction is 24%, and administrative services 24% (Sherman et al. 2). Further information shows low immigrant employment is critical in industries like health, politics, entertainment, and mining. Henceforth, upon the rise of remote work, the immigrants will lack jobs.
The language barrier between uneducated immigrants and Native Americans is another problem. For employees to work remotely, they must keep communication clear and constant. Following a low level of education attainment amongst many immigrants, they experience problems speaking in English (Lambert et al. 1). Some remote jobs may require minimal educational skills but fluency in English speaking. Some immigrants may have basic computer knowledge thus using it may not be challenging. However, while working out of the office, the employer and other teammates will require a constant update which is only done through communication (Papanikolaou & Schmidt 18). Thus, it poses a language barrier problem for non-English speakers. Many immigrants miss potential working opportunities due to the language barrier.
Jobs not Fitting Remote Working
A sizeable number of immigrants in the U.S work in jobs that cannot operate remotely. Manual work such as cleaning, construction, and fishing cannot allow the labor employees to work remotely (Hangartner et al. 571). It is crucial to note that, in these industries, those in top management can work remotely especially when the supervisors are at site (Papanikolaou & Schmidt 22). However, those in positions of building cleaners and hotel services must work in their respective places. This means that labor workers will not be affected by remote working. In other words, for jobs that cannot accommodate remote working, immigrants working there will still hold on to their chances.
Low-wage jobs have essentially increased in the United States in the past few years. According to Sherman et al., the demand for low-wage jobs has recently increased (3). The high demand is caused by the fact that native Americans are no longer doing the hard labor jobs. On the contrary, they are pursuing better-paying jobs which they find after they graduate from college. Decreased number of native Americans working in hard labor jobs leaves the platforms for the immigrants. Immigrants with little skills tend to take low-wage jobs which do not accommodate remote work (Papanikolaou & Schmidt 23). Therefore, despite the rise of remote work, low-wage earning immigrants will have a guarantee of job safety.
Hiring Discrimination
Remote working calls for reducing the number of employees in the offices. When hiring for new positions, employers will be vigilant in choosing the best candidate. Thus, applicants with little skills in remote work are disadvantaged. Immigrants have experienced hiring discrimination in the past despite the existence of laws against such practices (Hangartner et al. 574). Businesses hiring a limited number of workers will likely practice discrimination. In the past, immigrants have been treated unequally during the hiring process. American businesses have a history of considering Native citizens first before hiring immigrants (Andrea & Quijano). Consequently, with limited positions, immigrants despite having great skills might be left out. Hiring discrimination as practiced towards non-Americans makes them rag in poverty and unemployment. Furthermore, when immigrants are hired, they are in most cases given assistant or less critical positions.
Immigrants are working hard to get qualifications but the roots of hiring discrimination continue to grow firm. Most of the learned settlers qualify for the top position in companies and corporates (Hangartner et al. 574). They also have the skills to effectively operate remotely but the organizations barely have faith in them. According to Andrea and Quijano, the increase in discrimination against immigrants is based on the inequality foundation. The research provides that hiring discrimination continues because society believes in imparting positive values amongst in-group members. Thus, the in-groups are taught that out-groups are not worth the same values. Rejection of out-group members leads to attitudes and stereotypes which then facilitate discriminative behavior. When companies opt to operate remotely, only a few employees will be needed. If there were more than the required workers, some will have to be relieved of their duties. Furthermore, when the businesses will need to reduce or slice the number of workers, they begin with the non-Americans.
Unemployment
The public charge law recently passed regulates the employment rates of immigrants in the U.S. The law demands immigration officials reject applications from immigrants wanting to enter or intending to legalize their stay in America (Hangartner et al. 574). The law is meant to control the number of immigrants in the U.S by the focus on reducing it. This law implies that the existing immigrants in the U.S cannot legalize their stay. Consequently, they will have to leave the country. Concerning remote work, the immigrants will lose the chance to work from their country due to distance and trust issues (Andrea & Quijano). Therefore, those already employed will have to lose their jobs despite having a chance to work remotely.
Businesses operating remotely will not hire undocumented immigrants for various reasons. According to Andrea and Quijano, there are at least eight million undocumented workers in the United States. These immigrants often settle for lower-paying jobs because they fear getting caught by the government. Therefore, those willing to work in better jobs will need documents that they cannot be given following the public charge law. The Immigration and Reform and Control Act (IRCA) prohibits employers from knowingly hiring undocumented settlers (Hangartner et al. 574). Those hired by some businesses illegally are coerced, exploited, and threatened when they report workplace misconduct. Henceforth, they are the first to be fired when remote workers are needed. The American government has also prevented the immigrants from legalizing their stay. That means, that when businesses are switching to operating remotely, they will not hire undocumented candidates.
Remote Working Opportunity for Top Talent Immigrants
Despite all the negative impacts the rise of remote work is going to have on immigrants, there is a positive impact. Like any other top talent, immigrant top talents will have a chance to work for America (Remote Work and US Immigration Law). Top talents especially those in the technology industry may face less discrimination and thus will get hired and retained. Particularly, foreign investing companies will likely hire immigrants especially those from their countries (Noor & Nabil Shaker 24). For example, a Chinese corporation will hire talented Chinese immigrants. Consequently, the settlers will have a chance to work remotely alongside other Americans.
Immigrants will have a chance to work for the United States even when they are out of the country. Top talents make the most significant assets of all companies and businesses. Therefore, even if they are deported for some reason, the employer will allow them to work remotely because they offer the best services. Furthermore, such talents are not likely to be fired during layoffs. The firms will allow them to work remotely because their value is high (Remote Work and US Immigration Law). Technologically talented immigrants will also remain at work during layoffs. During the ongoing health crisis, many businesses have significantly reduced the number of employees, and the few left to work remotely (Lambert et al. 8). Top talents in technology will best fit working remotely as they can operate devices effectively to deliver productivity.
Immigrant Entrepreneurs’ Advantage
Immigrants operating on the U.S soil as entrepreneurs will enjoy the rising mode of remote working. Just like other Americans, these entrepreneurs can enjoy the freedom of working anywhere and at any time. The government of the United States allows undocumented immigrants to become entrepreneurs (Noor & Nabil Shaker 21). That means undocumented settlers can open individual businesses and run them remotely. During a crisis like COVID-19, businesses may lay off many employees, and such people could start their small businesses and run them remotely (Lambert et al. 2). Some immigrant entrepreneurs just like other Americans might be reluctant to accommodate remote working concepts but when times make it a need, they will also switch to the working mode.
Remote working is still a new concept to many business owners in America especially those running their jobs offline. However, those functioning on the internet already know the impact of working remotely. Firms are also adopting the idea of working remotely even when they have open offices (Remote Work and US Immigration Law). Immigrants are also learning how to cope with changing times. Therefore, when remote working will be a necessity in the workplace, the immigrants will be prepared. They will be ready to handle all the inconveniences that come with switching work modes (Lambert et al. 6). Time also offers new ideas to handle situations and just like businesses have coped with a health crisis, immigrants will adapt to working remotely.
Conclusion
Immigrants will face many challenges when working remotely becomes a need in the U.S. Just like Americans, the newcomers will face layoffs, hiring discrimination, and unemployment amongst other things. However, this group of people will have the advantage of also working remotely in their respective positions and jobs. Furthermore, top talents will benefit from the special and unlimited skills they can offer firms, thus will be the first choices when considering remote working. Immigrant entrepreneurs also have the advantage of self-employment hence work run their businesses from anywhere, day or night. All in all, remote working will fit those working in the offices, however, those doing manual work will not have a chance to enjoy the new trend whatsoever. The impact of immigrants will be felt by America and the globe at large because these individuals significantly contribute to the American economy. Thus, the negative effects of remote working will be felt by everyone in the U.S
References
Andrea, Josellyn, and Garcia Quijano. “Workplace Discrimination and Undocumented First-Generation Latinx Immigrants.” Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, 2020.
Hangartner, Dominik, Daniel Kopp, and Michael Siegenthaler. “Monitoring Hiring Discrimination through Online Recruitment Platforms.” Nature, vol. 589, no. 7843, 2021, pp. 572-576. Web.
Hykel Law. (2019).”Remote Work and US Immigration Law.” Web.
Lambert, Jason R., and Ekundayo Y. Akinlade. “Immigrant Stereotypes and Differential Screening.” Personnel Review vol. 49, no. 4, 2019, pp. 1-13.
Noor, Noraini M., and Muhamad Nabil Shaker. “Perceived Workplace Discrimination, Coping and Psychological Distress among Unskilled Indonesian Migrant Workers in Malaysia.” International Journal of Intercultural Relations, vol. 1, no. 57, 2017, pp.19-29. Web.
Papanikolaou, Dimitris, and Lawrence DW Schmidt. Working remotely and the supply-side impact of COVID-19. no. w27330. National Bureau of Economic Research, 2020, p. 1-51.
Sherman, Arloc, et al. “Immigrants Contribute Greatly to U.S. Economy, Despite Administration’s “Public Charge” Rule Rationale.” 2019, pp. 1-8.