Immigrant Earnings Assimilation in the United States: A Panel Analysis

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Rho, Deborah; Sanders, Seth
• 署名单位: University of St Thomas Minnesota; Duke University
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF LABOR ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0734-306X
• DOI: 10.1086/708615
• 发表日期: 2021
• 页码: 37-78
• 关键词: cohort quality; GROWTH; EMPLOYMENT; canada; LABOR; mortality; BIAS

摘要

We construct the first long-term comparison of cross-sectional and panel estimates of immigrant earnings assimilation in the United States from a single data source. Unlike previous results, we find that selective out-migration of higher-earning immigrants biases downward cross-sectional estimates for all education groups. Cross-sectional estimates dramatically understate earnings growth for high-skilled foreign-born workers. The bias stems from both selective out-migration and selective employment; among high-skilled immigrants, low earners find employment with a substantial delay, while high earners work immediately on arrival. We present suggestive evidence that the H-1B visa program may play a role in estimated immigrant earnings dynamics.