One thing immigrants deserve credit for is excelling in subjects that are traditionally perceived as being 'difficult' like engineering when they don't even have a strong command of the language that the subject material is being presented in. I've always found it amazing that English-first citizens can fail out/perform poorly while people who may not even understand the lectures completely are at the top of the class.
If we're talking about immigrants who clearly have English as their second language having a tough time moving up the corporate ladder into executive-level positions, I tend to agree and that just makes sense as you'd typically be required to engage with others in English and expected to be able to do so in a professional manner. I think it has less to do with the stereotype of immigrants being quiet/not outgoing, but more with their command of English.
I'm Asian - born and raised here - and I've had no problems moving up the corporate world. Lots of directors across various departments that I've come across who are not only minorities, but women too.
These glass ceilings aren't around anymore. The perception that they are is also something that - at least from my conversations with others - is also being recognized now as a thing of the past.
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