Full Citation

Title: The Effect of Mass Legalization on US State-Level Institutions: Evidence from the Immigration Reform and Control Act

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2021

ISBN: 0123456789

ISSN:

DOI: 10.1007/s11127-021-00894-x

NSFID:

PMCID:

PMID:

Abstract: A new case for immigration restrictions argues that migrants may transmit low productivity to their destination countries by importing low-quality economic institutions. Using the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) as a natural experiment, we test whether the legalization of undocumented immigrants affects the quality of state-level economic institutions in the United States. Using synthetic control models, we find that, in the short run, legalization may increase the burden of government spending. However, in the long run, we find statistically insignificant effects of legalization on economic institutions.

Url: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11127-021-00894-x

Url: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11127-021-00894-x.pdf

User Submitted?: No

Authors: Yao, Lili; Bolen, J Brandon; Williamson, Claudia R

Periodical (Full): Public Choice

Issue:

Volume: 189

Pages: 427-463

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Labor Force and Occupational Structure, Migration and Immigration

Countries: