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Effects Of Immigrants On The 1980–1990 U.S. Wage Experience

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  • Maria E. Enchautegui

Abstract

This paper questions the claim that U.S. immigration should be reduced because the economy can no longer absorb immigrants as it has in the past. Analysis of male hourly wages shows that the effect of immigration on wages did not change between 1980 and 1990. Further, immigration had no negative effects on wages in 1980 or 1990. These results suggest that the capacity of the labor market to absorb immigrants has not been reduced. Additional analysis shows that, controlling for personal characteristics, the hourly wages of the average native and immigrant worker in areas of high and medium immigration relative to areas of low immigration increased between 1980 and 1990. However, Latino immigrants are affected negatively by immigration.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria E. Enchautegui, 1995. "Effects Of Immigrants On The 1980–1990 U.S. Wage Experience," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 13(3), pages 20-38, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:coecpo:v:13:y:1995:i:3:p:20-38
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1465-7287.1995.tb00721.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Butcher, Kristin F & Card, David, 1991. "Immigration and Wages: Evidence from the 1980's," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 81(2), pages 292-296, May.
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    3. Vernon M. Briggs, 1991. "Immigration Policy: Political or Economic?," Challenge, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 34(5), pages 12-19, September.
    4. Kristin Butcher & David Card, 1991. "Immigration and Wages: Evidence From the 1980's," Working Papers 661, Princeton University, Department of Economics, Industrial Relations Section..
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    6. Grossman, Jean Baldwin, 1982. "The Substitutability of Natives and Immigrants in Production," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 64(4), pages 596-603, November.
    7. Erica L. Groshen, 1991. "Sources of Intra-Industry Wage Dispersion: How Much Do Employers Matter?," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 106(3), pages 869-884.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kit‐Chun Lam & Pak‐Wai Liu, 1998. "Immigration, Population Heterogeneity, And Earnings Inequality In Hong Kong," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 16(3), pages 265-276, July.
    2. Simonetta LONGHI & Peter NIJKAMP & Jacques POOT, 2008. "Meta-Analysis Of Empirical Evidence On The Labour Market Impacts Of Immigration," Region et Developpement, Region et Developpement, LEAD, Universite du Sud - Toulon Var, vol. 27, pages 161-191.
    3. Easton, Todd, 2001. "Immigration and Natives' Wages: Understanding Their Correlation in the 1980s," The Review of Regional Studies, Southern Regional Science Association, vol. 31(3), pages 219-235, Winter.

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