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Electoral Effects of Integrating Forced Migrants: Evidence from a Southern Country

Author

Listed:
  • Rozo, Sandra V.

    (World Bank)

  • Quintana, Alejandra

    (Columbia University)

  • Urbina, Maria José

    (World Bank)

Abstract

How does easing the economic integration of forced migrants affect native voting behaviors in the Global South? This paper assesses how the regularization of half a million Venezuelan forced migrants affected the electoral choices of Colombian natives by comparing election results in municipalities with higher and lower take-up rates for a program that supports forced migrants. The findings show negligible impacts on native voting behavior. The study then conducted a survey experiment to investigate the lack of voter response. Even after receiving information about the program, Colombian voters showed no changes in voting intentions or prosocial views toward migrants. This suggests that their indifference did not stem from a lack of awareness about the program. In contrast, the electoral indifference of natives may be explained by the fact that the program did not change labor and crime outcomes for native Colombians, and most migrants remained in the informal sector despite benefiting from the program through improvements in labor conditions and better access to public services.

Suggested Citation

  • Rozo, Sandra V. & Quintana, Alejandra & Urbina, Maria José, 2023. "Electoral Effects of Integrating Forced Migrants: Evidence from a Southern Country," IZA Discussion Papers 16171, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16171
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    refugees; amnesties; electoral outcomes;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • F02 - International Economics - - General - - - International Economic Order and Integration
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population

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