Abstract:
During the 2000s, several states adopted laws requiring employers to verify new employees' eligibility to work legally in the USA. This study uses data from the 2005-2014 American Community Survey to examine how such laws affect unauthorized immigrants' locational choices. The results indicate that having an E-Verify law reduces the number of less-educated prime-age immigrants from Mexico and Central America-immigrants who are likely to be unauthorized-living in a state. We find evidence that some new migrants are diverted to other states, but also suggestive evidence that some alreadypresent migrants leave the country entirely.