Working Paper: NBER ID: w3972
Authors: George J. Borjas
Abstract: This paper analyzes the intergenerational mobility of immigrants. Using the 1940-1970 Censuses, the study reveals an important link between the earnings of immigrants and the earnings of their American-born children. Although there is some regression towards the mean, the earnings of second-generation Americans are strongly affected by variables describing economic conditions in the source countries of their parents. Current immigration policy, therefore, determines not only how immigrants perform in the labor market, but also determines tomorrow's differences in the labor market experiences of American-born ethnic groups.
Keywords: intergenerational mobility; immigrants; labor market; economic conditions; source countries
JEL Codes: J61; J15
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Earnings of first-generation immigrants (J69) | Earnings of second-generation Americans (J31) |
| Economic conditions of source countries (F24) | Earnings of first-generation immigrants (J69) |
| Economic conditions of source countries (F24) | Earnings of second-generation Americans (J31) |
| Skills transferred across generations (J24) | Earnings of second-generation Americans (J31) |
| Selection process of immigrants (K37) | Earnings of second-generation Americans (J31) |
| Earnings of first-generation immigrants (J69) | Earnings of second-generation ethnic groups (J15) |