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Self-selection of Mexican migrants in the presence of random shocks: Evidence from the Panic of 1907

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  • David Escamilla-Guerrero
  • Moramay Lopez-Alonso

Abstract

Using height as a proxy for physical productivity of labour, this paper estimates the selection of Mexican migration to the United States at the beginning of the flow (1906-08), and it exploits a natural experiment of history to evaluate the impact of random shocks on short-run shifts in selection into migration. The results suggest that the first Mexican migrants belonged to the upper ranks of the height distribution of the Mexican working class.

Suggested Citation

  • David Escamilla-Guerrero & Moramay Lopez-Alonso, 2019. "Self-selection of Mexican migrants in the presence of random shocks: Evidence from the Panic of 1907," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2019-23, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2019-23
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

    Labour migration; Self-selection; International migration; Random shocks;
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