71. Why U.S. Immigration Barriers Matter for the Global Advancement of Science
- Author:
- Ruchi Agarwal and Patrick Gaule
- Publication Date:
- 10-2021
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- The Cato Institute
- Abstract:
- While talent can be born anywhere, few places specialize in nurturing it. Accordingly, talented individuals have pursued opportunities abroad for centuries. For instance, Aristotle moved from Northern Greece to Athens to attend Plato’s Academy and then to Macedonia to tutor a young Alexander the Great. More recently, the United States has emerged as a hub for foreign talent, playing an outsized role in the global knowledge network of scientific activity in recent decades. However, the recent introduction of restrictive immigration policies in the United States may adversely impact scientific activity. While studies have examined the potential negative impact of restrictive U.S. immigration policies on U.S. competitiveness in science and innovation, there has been less focus on understanding how U.S. immigration barriers may in turn impact scientific activity globally. In this context, our work studies the impact of U.S. immigration barriers on global knowledge production and examines which policy actions are more likely to help advance the global knowledge frontier.
- Topic:
- Science and Technology, Immigration, Border Control, and Research and Development
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus and United States of America