Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/100707 
Year of Publication: 
2001
Series/Report no.: 
Working Paper No. 2001-1
Publisher: 
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
Abstract: 
This paper examines the effect of changes in migration determinants on the skill level of undocumented immigrants from Mexico. The authors focus on the effect of changes in economic conditions, migrant networks, and border enforcement on the educational attainment of Mexican-born men who cross the border illegally. Although previous research indicates that illegal aliens from Mexico tend to be unskilled relative to U.S. natives and that economic conditions, networks, and border enforcement affect the size of illegal immigrant flows across the border, the interaction of these variables has not been investigated. Results from hazard models using data from the Mexican Migration Project indicate that improvements in U.S. and Mexican economic conditions are associated with a decline in the average educational levels of undocumented immigrants. Stricter border enforcement is associated with higher average skill levels. Access to a network of previous immigrants appears to lower the cost of migrating but has no differential effect by skill level.
Subjects: 
Immigrants
Emigration and immigration
Labor supply
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
404.24 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.