Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP3527
Authors: Thomas Bauer; Gil S. Epstein; Ira Gang
Abstract: Empirical studies in the migration literature have shown that migration enclaves (networks) negatively affect the language proficiency of migrants. These studies, however, ignore the choice of location as a function of language skills. Using data on Mexican migration to the US, we show that migrants choose smaller networks as their English language proficiency improves.
Keywords: enclave; ethnic concentration; ethnic goods; immigrants; language skills; networks
JEL Codes: F22; J15; J61
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| English language proficiency (I25) | location choice (R32) |
| size of ethnic enclave (R23) | location choice (R32) |
| English language proficiency (I25) | size of ethnic enclave (R23) |
| size of ethnic enclave (R23) | need for using English (F36) |
| size of ethnic enclave (R23) | inverted U-shaped effect on location choice (R30) |
| English language proficiency (I25) | earnings and assimilation (J31) |