Undocumented workers in the labor market: an analysis of the earnings of legal and illegal Mexican immigrants in the United States

J Popul Econ. 1999;12(1):91-116. doi: 10.1007/s001480050092.

Abstract

"This paper studies the differences in earnings between Mexican legal and illegal immigrants in the United States. The analysis includes a cross-sectional examination of the wage differences between legal and undocumented workers as well as a longitudinal analysis examining the impact of legalization on the earnings of previously-undocumented workers. It is shown that the average hourly wage rate of male Mexican legal immigrants in the United States was 41.8% higher than that of undocumented workers while female legal immigrants earned 40.8% more."

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Americas
  • Demography
  • Developed Countries
  • Developing Countries
  • Economics
  • Emigration and Immigration*
  • Income*
  • Latin America
  • Mexico
  • North America
  • Population
  • Population Characteristics
  • Population Dynamics
  • Research
  • Salaries and Fringe Benefits*
  • Sex Factors*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Transients and Migrants*
  • United States