Post-9/11 immigration enforcement lowered demand for undocumented workers

April 29, 2009

A recent study in the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management shows that as a result of a variety of interior enforcement initiatives implemented in 2002-2005, such as the ramping up of the Social Security no-match program, employers' demand for undocumented workers fell. This led to
an erosion of the wages and employment opportunities of recent low-education male immigrants from Latin America with potentially negative implications for U.S. taxpayers.

The study's results show that increases in immigration-related law enforcement since September 2001 unfavorably affected the labor market for low-education, male from Latin America, a group that composes the bulk of undocumented workers in the U.S.

Consequently, their wages, employment, and hours worked all fell relative to similar low-education black and Hispanic native men and immigrants who have been in the U.S. longer.

"Interior enforcement without comprehensive immigration reform can be a lose-lose proposition," the authors conclude. "As illegal immigrants and their families are pushed closer to poverty and into greater dependence on public assistance, both the and the taxpayer may lose out."

Pia Orrenius, Ph.D., and Madeline Zavodny, Ph.D., used Current Population Survey data and statistical estimation techniques to examine whether immigration laws since 2001 have affected the demand for undocumented workers.

More information: This study is published in the Spring 2009 issue of the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management.

Source: Wiley (news : web)


Rank 5 /5 (1 vote)
Relevant PhysicsForums posts
  • Can I forget a language?
    createdFeb 10, 2012
  • The Biggest Lie Ever
    createdFeb 09, 2012
  • What are the limits of learning?
    createdFeb 06, 2012
  • Isn't that grammatically wrong?
    createdFeb 06, 2012
  • What does it mean when traders are indifferent?
    createdFeb 04, 2012
  • Peak of Our Civilization
    createdFeb 04, 2012
  • More from Physics Forums - Social Sciences

More news stories

What we mean when we ask for the milk

New research into the different ways that English and Polish people use language in everyday family situations can help members of each community to understand each other better and avoid cultural misunderstandings.

Other Sciences / Social Sciences

created 1 minute ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Myths and shame keep many from seeking bankruptcy protection

(PhysOrg.com) -- Two interesting facts that may counter modern ideas about bankruptcy: The overwhelming majority of U.S. filings belong to individuals rather than corporations or entities, and most of these ...

Other Sciences / Economics & Business

created 1 hour ago | popularity 3 / 5 (2) | comments 2

A lost world? How zooarchaeology can inform biodiversity conservation

A new study of tropical forests will provide a 50,000-year perspective on how animal biodiversity has changed, explored through an archaeological investigation of animal bones.

Other Sciences / Archaeology & Fossils

created 1 hour ago | popularity 3 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Cattle producers advised to use caution as prices march higher

Cattle producers should be mindful to not get too caught up in reacting to high market prices, according to a Texas AgriLife Extension Service economist.

Other Sciences / Other

created 2 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Putting the magic into maths

Queen Mary, University of London has developed a new educational resource for teachers to help students use amazing magic tricks to learn about maths.

Other Sciences / Mathematics

created 3 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0


Slowing ocean current caused Earth to spin faster

(PhysOrg.com) -- Most people probably didn’t notice it, but back in 2009, the Earth spun around on its axis a tiny bit faster than usual, making for some slightly shorter days. It only happened for a ...

Fast photon control brings quantum photonic technologies closer

(PhysOrg.com) -- Using photons instead of electrons to transmit information could lead to faster and more secure ways to communicate, among other advantages. Now a team of physicists has taken another step toward realizing ...

Planck mission steps closer to the cosmic blueprint

(PhysOrg.com) -- ESA's Planck mission has revealed that our Galaxy contains previously undiscovered islands of cold gas and a mysterious haze of microwaves. These results give scientists new treasure to mine ...

New ability to regrow blood vessels holds promise for treatment of heart disease

(Medical Xpress) -- University of Texas at Austin researchers have demonstrated a new and more effective method for regrowing blood vessels in the heart and limbs — a research advancement that could have ...

New European rocket lifts off on maiden flight

Europe on Monday successfully launched a new lightweight rocket carrying a test payload, culminating a more than 12-year quest to master the entire range of space launchers.

Ordered planar polymers created for the first time

(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists under the direction of ETH Zurich have created a minor sensation in synthetic chemistry. They succeeded for the first time in producing regularly ordered planar polymers that form ...