All this makes perfect sense to me. Those without supportive community in their new homes force themselves to interact with the native population at a higher rate than those who can find other countrymen to socialize with.

They end up better economically because lacking a supportive community, they simply work harder because they know they have no safety net.

As for immigrants starting businesses at a higher rate, those with little to lose will take greater business risks than those who might be risking their retirement money. When you’re an immigrant with a few dollars in your pocket, business risk doesn’t bother you too much. In fact, I’d say all these lessons could also be easily applied to the native population. You have an extended family support system? You’re less likely to move away, more likely to seek out higher education, and more likely to float through life not worrying much about creating your own safety net because your family will provide one. Don’t even get me started on the impact a government provided safety net does to human behavior. The same decision matrix shown here absolutely applies.