Understanding the Effects of Granting Work Permits to Undocumented Immigrants

• 成果类型: Article; Early Access
• 署名作者: Elias, Ferran; Monras, Joan; Vazquez-Grenno, Javier
• 署名单位: Universitat de Girona; Centre de Recerca en Economia Internacional (CREI); Pompeu Fabra University; Barcelona School of Economics; Pompeu Fabra University; Centre for Economic Policy Research - UK; University of Barcelona
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF LABOR ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0734-306X
• DOI: 10.1086/730122
• 发表日期: 2025
• 关键词: labor-market outcomes; amnesty programs; Legalization; REFORM; IMPACT; panel; wage

摘要

We study the regularization of 600,000 non-EU immigrants by the unexpectedly elected Spanish government following the terrorist attacks of 2004. By comparing non-EU to EU immigrants, we estimate that the policy did not lead to magnet effects. We then show that immigrant formal employment increased, while that of natives was not affected. However, there was a decrease in informal employment of both native and immigrant low-skilled workers. We document that tax revenues increased by around 4,000 euros per regularized immigrant-with no evidence of increased public expenditures. The evidence also suggests that the policy increased labor market opportunities for immigrants.