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U.S. Immigration Reform and the Dynamics of Mexican Migration

Author

Listed:
  • Altangerel, Khulan

    (Tilburg University)

  • van Ours, Jan C.

    (Erasmus School of Economics)

Abstract

The 1986 US Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) was directed at tackling the problem of growing unauthorized migration through legalization of unauthorized immigrants, increasing border security and sanctioning employers who hired unauthorized immigrants. Our paper investigates how the IRCA affected the migration dynamics of Mexican immigrants focusing on their age of onset of migration and the duration of their first trip. We find that the IRCA had a positive effect in reducing unauthorized migration to the US. Although primarily aiming at unauthorized immigration, the IRCA had substantial effects on legal migration through its legalization program.

Suggested Citation

  • Altangerel, Khulan & van Ours, Jan C., 2017. "U.S. Immigration Reform and the Dynamics of Mexican Migration," IZA Discussion Papers 10771, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp10771
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Scott R. Baker, 2015. "Effects of Immigrant Legalization on Crime," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 105(5), pages 210-213, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Khulan Altangerel & Jan C. Ours, 2017. "U.S. Immigration Reform and the Migration Dynamics of Mexican Males," De Economist, Springer, vol. 165(4), pages 463-485, December.
    2. Altangerel, Khulan & van Ours, Jan, 2017. "U.S. immigration reform and the migration dynamics of Mexican males," Other publications TiSEM ed2fd098-2862-4d6a-9909-e, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    3. Altangerel, Khulan, 2019. "Essays on immigration policy," Other publications TiSEM 954c6300-249e-496c-8cef-0, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    immigration policy; migrant behavior;

    JEL classification:

    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • J68 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Public Policy

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