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The Association Between Legal Status and Poverty Among Immigrants: A Methodological Caution

Author

Listed:
  • Cody Spence

    (Temple University)

  • James D. Bachmeier

    (Temple University)

  • Claire E. Altman

    (University of Missouri)

  • Christal Hamilton

    (Truman School of Public Affairs, University of Missouri)

Abstract

Using nationally representative survey data, this research note examines the association between immigrant legal status and poverty in the United States. Our objective is to test whether estimates of this association vary depending on the method used to infer legal status in survey data, focusing on two approaches in particular: (1) inferring legal status using a logical imputation method that ignores the existence of legal-status survey questions (logical approach); and (2) defining legal status based on survey questions about legal status (survey approach). We show that the two methods yield contrasting conclusions. In models using the logical approach, among noncitizens, being a legal permanent resident (LPR) is counterintuitively associated with a significantly greater net probability of being below the poverty line compared with their noncitizen peers without LPR status. Conversely, using the survey approach to measure legal status, LPR status is associated with a lower net probability of living in poverty, which is in line with a growing body of qualitative and small-sample evidence. Consistent with simulation experiments carried out by Van Hook et al. (2015), the findings call for a more cautious approach to interpreting research results based on legal status imputations and for greater attention to potential biases introduced by various methodological approaches to inferring individuals’ legal status in survey data. Consequently, the approach used for measuring legal status has important implications for future research on immigration and legal status.

Suggested Citation

  • Cody Spence & James D. Bachmeier & Claire E. Altman & Christal Hamilton, 2020. "The Association Between Legal Status and Poverty Among Immigrants: A Methodological Caution," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 57(6), pages 2327-2335, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:demogr:v:57:y:2020:i:6:d:10.1007_s13524-020-00933-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s13524-020-00933-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. George J. Borjas, 2017. "The Earnings of Undocumented Immigrants," NBER Working Papers 23236, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. George J. Borjas & David J.G. Slusky, 2018. "Health, Employment, and Disability: Implications from the Undocumented Population," NBER Working Papers 24504, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Prentice, J.C. & Pebley, A.R. & Sastry, N., 2005. "Immigration status and health insurance coverage: Who gains? Who loses?," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 95(1), pages 109-116.
    4. Borjas, George J. & Cassidy, Hugh, 2019. "The wage penalty to undocumented immigration," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Christal Hamilton & Claire Altman & James Bachmeier & Cody Spence, 2022. "Legal status and health disparities: An examination of health insurance coverage among the foreign-born," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 47(16), pages 453-488.
    2. Annie Ro & Jennifer Hook, 2022. "Comparing the Effectiveness of Assignment Strategies for Estimating Likely Undocumented Status in Secondary Data Sources for Latino and Asian Immigrants," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 41(2), pages 449-464, April.
    3. Claire E. Altman & Christal Hamilton & James D. Bachmeier & Cody Spence, 2023. "Medicaid Health Insurance Coverage Among the Foreign-Born Following ACA Implementation: Disparities by Migration Status," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 42(4), pages 1-32, August.

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