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Title: Economic Assimilation of Mexicans and Central Americans in the United States

Citation Type: Working Paper

Publication Year: 2021

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Abstract: Using United States Census data between 1970 and 2017, we analyze the economic assimilation of subsequent arrival cohorts of Mexicans and Central Americans by comparing their earnings and employment probability to that of natives with similar age and education. We find that, on average, these immigrants started with an earnings gap of 40-45 percent and eliminated half of it within 20 years of arrival. Recent cohorts that arrived after 1995 performed better than earlier cohorts in that they had smaller initial earnings gaps and faster convergence. Additionally, the most recent cohorts entered the US without an employment rate disadvantage, and they surpassed natives within 10 years. We also find that Mexicans and Central Americans working in the construction sector and those living in non-enclave and urban areas had faster earnings convergence than the others.

Url: https://www.zachrutledge.com/uploads/1/2/5/6/125679559/economic_assimilation_8.19.21.pdf

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Authors: Peri, Giovanni; Rutledge, Zachariah

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Institution: UC Davis

Pages: 1-37

Publisher Location: Davis

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Labor Force and Occupational Structure, Migration and Immigration

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