The Impact of Immigration on the United States Economy

by Kposowa, Augustine J.

• ISBN13: 9780761810926
• ISBN10: 0761810927
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1998-10-01
• Publisher: UPA

Summary

The Impact of Immigration on the United States Economy closely examines the effects of immigration on the United States economy from 1940-1980. Using multiple linear regression, Kposowa found that overall, immigration has had positive effects on the US economy, especially in terms of increasing native earnings and native socioeconomic attainment. However, he also found that immigration has negative effects on minority earnings, particularly those of African Americans. Contrary to popular belief, Kposowa reveals how immigrants as a population are significantly less likely than native born people to be on public assistance or social security. This fascinating study debunks many myths surrounding immigration and concludes by offering practical public policy recommendations.

Table of Contents

Preface	iii
Chapter 1 Introduction	1	(8)
Chapter 2 Theoretical Perspectives on Immigration and the Labor Market	9	(8)
Human Capital Perspective	9	(3)
Dual Labor Market Perspective	12	(2)
Equilibrium Perspective	14	(1)
Summary of Conceptual Hypotheses	15	(2)
Chapter 3 Review of U.S. Immigration History and Previous Research	17	(24)
A Brief Survey of U.S. Immigration History	17	(8)
Geographic Distribution of Immigrants	25	(1)
Change in Countries of Origin	26	(1)
Effects of Immigration on the United States Labor Market	26	(1)
Competition and Displacement	26	(7)
Immigrant Concentration	33	(1)
Immigrants, Wages, and Water Depression	34	(4)
Immigration and Economic Dependence	38	(3)
Chapter 4 Materials and Methods	41	(18)
Nature and Source of Data	41	(12)
The Unit of Analysis	43	(1)
Dependent Variables for Micro Level Analysis	43	(8)
Independent Variables for Individual Level Analysis	51	(2)
Other Variables in the Individual Level Analysis	53	(3)
Dependent Variables for Ecological Analysis	56	(1)
Independent Variables for Ecological Analysis	57	(1)
Statistical Estimation	57	(2)
Chapter 5 Descriptive Statistics	59	(20)
Sample Characteristics, 1940 to 1960	59	(8)
Sample Characteristics, 1970 to 1980	67	(4)
Findings Regarding Other Variables	71	(4)
Correlations Among Micro Level Dependent Variables	75	(4)
Chapter 6 The Effects of Immigration on Earnings	79	(26)
Effects of Immigrant Status on Earnings, 1940 to 1980	80	(13)
Effects of Immigration on Native Earnings, 1940 to 1980	93	(3)
Effects of Immigration on Native Earnings, Controlling for Expansion	96	(3)
Metropolitan Level Results of the Impact of Immigration on Native Earnings, 1980	99	(2)
Effects of Immigration on Minority Earnings	101	(4)
Chapter 7 The Effects of Immigration on Socioeconomic Attainment and Occupational Prestige	105	(10)
Effects of Immigrant Status on Socioeconomic Attainment and Occupational Prestige, 1960 to 1980	106	(3)
Effects of Immigration on Native Socioeconomic Occupational Prestige	109	(1)
Metropolitan Analysis of the Effects of Immigration on Native Socioeconomic Attainment, 1980	110	(5)
Chapter 8 The Effect of Immigration on Industrial Sector	115	(12)
Effects of Immigrant Status on Industrial Sector, 1960 to 1980	115	(4)
Effects of Immigration on Native Industrial Sector, 1960 to 1980	120	(2)
Effects of Immigration on Change in Native Industrial Sector, 1970 to 1980	122	(1)
Metropolitan Analysis of the Effects of Immigration on Native Industrial Sector, 1980	123	(4)
Chapter 9 The Effects of Immigration on Unemployment	127	(20)
Effects of Immigrant Status on Unemployment, 1940 to 1980	128	(2)
Effects of Immigration on Native Unemployment	130	(5)
Effects of Immigration on U.S. Minorities	135	(4)
Effects of Change in Immigration on Change in Native Unemployment, 1970 to 1980	139	(1)
Effects of Change in Immigration on Change in Minority Unemployment, 1970 to 1980	139	(3)
Metropolitan Level Results of the Effect of Immigration on Native Unemployment, 1980	142	(5)
Chapter 10 Immigration and Economic Dependence	147	(14)
Effects of Immigrant Status on Public Assistance Reception, 1960 to 1980	148	(3)
Logistic Regression Results of the Probability of Public Assistance Reception, 1980	151	(4)
Effects of Immigrant Status on Social Security Reception, 1970 to 1980	155	(2)
Logistic Regression Results of the Probability of Social Security Reception, 1980	157	(4)
Chapter 11 Discussion and Conclusions	161	(16)
Impact of Immigrant and Alien Status	161	(4)
Immigrants and Economic Dependence	165	(3)
Effects of Immigration on the General Population	168	(5)
Effects of Immigration on Native Minorities	173	(4)
Chapter 12 Policy Implications and Recommendations	177	(7)
Appendices	184	(27)
A. Descriptive Statistics of Variables for Metropolitan Level Analysis	184	(13)
B. Effects of Immigration on Native Earnings in Dollars, States with Immigrant Populations 5% or More, 1940--1980	197	(1)
C. Effects of Immigration on Native Earnings, 1980, MSA's with 10% or More of Immigrants	198	(1)
D. Effects of Immigration on Native Prestige and SES, 1960--1980, States with 5% or More Immigrants	199	(1)
E. Metropolitan Level Analysis of the Effects of Immigration on Native Socioeconomics Status, 1980: MSA's with Immigrants 10% or More of Population	200	(1)
F. Effects of Immigration on Native Industrial Sector, States with Immigrant Populations 5% or More, 1960-1980	201	(1)
G. Metropolitan Level Analysis of the Effects of Immigration on Native Industrial Sector, 1980: MSA's with Immigrant Populations 10% or More	202	(1)
H. Determinants of Unemployment, 1980	203	(1)
I. Metropolitan Level Results of the Effects of Immigration on Unemployment: MSA's with Immigrants 10% or More of The Population, 1980	204	(2)
J. Determinants of Public Assistance Reception, 1980	206	(1)
K. Determinants of Social Security Reception, 1980	207	(4)
References	211	(16)
Index	227