WAGE AND MOBILITY EFFECTS OF LEGALIZATION: EVIDENCE FROM THE NEW IMMIGRANT SURVEY* |
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| Authors: | Magnus Lofstrom Laura Hill Joseph Hayes |
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| Institution: | 1. Public Policy Institute of California and IZA, 500 Washington Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94111. E‐mail: lofstrom@ppic.org;2. Public Policy Institute of California, 500 Washington Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94111. E‐mail: hill@ppic.org;3. Public Policy Institute of California, 500 Washington Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94111. E‐mail: hayes@ppic.org |
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| Abstract: | ABSTRACT Using New Immigrant Survey data, we identify immigrants who were unauthorized to work prior to obtaining Legal Permanent Resident status, and examine whether lacking legal status to work in the United States constrains employment outcomes of illegal immigrants. The data reveal no evidence of improved employment outcomes attributable to legal status, except among the high‐skilled. In light of evidence that unauthorized immigrants experienced increased wages as a result of receiving amnesty through the 1986 Immigration and Reform Control Act, we interpret the results as consistent with a reduced threat of employer sanctions combined with widespread availability of false work authorization documents. |
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