The Immigrant Double Disadvantage among Blacks in the United States

Katharine M. Donato, Vanderbilt University
Anna Jacobs, Vanderbilt University
Brittany Hearne, Vanderbilt University

Prior studies have established that immigrant women in the United States and other countries are doubly disadvantaged in terms of labor market outcomes. Yet no study has considered whether and how a double disadvantage in labor force participation exists for black immigrants. This paper examines the double disadvantage for black immigrants from Caribbean and African nations compared to U.S. born blacks. Drawing from recent work that reconsiders the double disadvantage among U.S. immigrants, we also examine how marriage moderates the black double disadvantage. Our analysis reveals strong gendered differences in labor force participation and shows how marriage differentiates immigrant women’s labor force participation more so than men’s.