Search

This paper investigates determinants of the earnings distribution for native-born workers and immigrant workers in two countries. The authors, using data from the 2000 U.S. Census and 2001 Australian Census, employ a methodology (quantile regression) that facilitates measurement of the native-born/immigrant earnings differential and the partial effect of explanatory variables such as schooling and experience at each decile of the earnings distribution. They find evidence that schooling and labor market experience had stronger earnings effects at higher deciles. The native/immigrant earnings gap varied by decile, and in particular increased in the United States at higher deciles. The results suggest that in the United States minimum wages compressed earnings at low deciles, whereas in Australia the minimum (administered) wage system compressed earnings across the entire distribution. A pattern of higher earnings for immigrants than for the native-born at the lowest earnings decile in Australia may reflect favorable selectivity in migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper estimates the net effects of nativity, ethnicity and race on the earnings of Cape Verdean Americans, a small, Afro-European group who speak a Portuguese-based Creole. While in their homeland, most Cape Verdeans identify as mestiço, but in America they are usually perceived as black. The data come from the 2000 US Census and the American Community Survey (2000-2007); Native Born Non-Hispanic Whites and African Americans serve as benchmarks. The results show that, controlling for pre-migration education, foreign birth is not a handicap; indeed, for women it is an advantage. Ethnicity too is never a handicap and occasionally an advantage. Race, on the other hand, penalizes males. Native born Cape Verdean men who identify as 'Other', 'Black Other' or 'Black' earn significantly less than NBNH Whites. On the other hand, regardless of racial identity, Native born Cape Verdean women earn at least as much as NBNH Whites. Finally, one subgroup of native born Cape Verdean men and women, those who identify racially as 'Black', earn slightly more than African Americans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper projects retirement income and Social Security taxes and benefits among the foreign-born and U.S.-born in the United States. Focusing on the Depression and the late baby boom birth cohorts, we find that foreign-born persons have higher poverty rates than the U.S.-born, and as a group do not receive higher lifetime net benefits from Social Security than do the U.S.-born. However, persons from the late baby boom cohort who immigrated after 1969 have higher projected rates of return in Social Security than do U.S.-born persons of the same birth cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines how minimum wage laws affect the employment and earnings of low-skilled immigrants and natives in the United States. Minimum wage increases might have larger effects among low-skilled immigrants than among natives because, on average, immigrants earn less than natives due to lower levels of education, limited English skills, and less social capital. Results based on data from the Current Population Survey for the years 1994-2005 do not indicate that minimum wages had adverse employment effects among adult immigrants or natives who did not complete high school. However, low-skilled immigrants may have been discouraged from settling in states that set wage floors substantially above the federal minimum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the connection between immigration to the U.S. from Mexico and Central America and the rate of minimum wage per state in the contiguous 48 U.S. states. It addresses the effect of raising the minimum wage on employment and influx of Mexican and Central American immigrants. It comments on the ability of states to control their rates of immigration by adjusting the minimum wage within the state, the status of low-wage immigrants in the U.S., and an explanation of the dispersal of Mexicans and Central Americans within the U.S.

The article discusses research on wages earned by male and female African immigrants, White immigrants, and Black women based on U.S. Census data for 1980, 1990, and 2000. Several findings are discussed including perceived preferences for hiring White male immigrants in the U.S. labor market before Black male immigrants, White female immigrants, and Black women, in that order. Male immigrants were found to earn more than female immigrants. Also noted is a growing gap in the earnings of Black and White male immigrants. Women with college degrees were found to be earning greater wages over time.

The article discusses the impact of the financial crisis on Caribbean and Latin American immigrants in the U.S. Such immigrants are working less hours, earning less money, and sending less remittances to their relatives in other countries. Topics include Haiti's need for remittances from Haitian immigrants in the U.S., the impact of the recession on immigrant workers who live in Florida, and the decrease in the U.S. tourist industry due to the economic slowdown. Also discussed is the political instability in Haiti.