Social Networks and Their Impact on the Employment and Earnings of Mexican Immigrants

43 Pages Posted: 19 May 2005

See all articles by Kusum Mundra

Kusum Mundra

Department of Economics, Rutgers University, Newark

Catalina Amuedo-Dorantes

San Diego State University - Department of Economics; IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Date Written: September 2004

Abstract

We examine the impact of different types of social networks on the employment and wages of unauthorized and legal Mexican immigrants using data from the Mexican Migration Project. We find that social networks, particularly strong ties, contribute to the economic assimilation of immigrants by raising their hourly wages. However, networks do not enhance immigrants' employability. Instead, strong ties allow for a lower employment likelihood possibly through the shelter against temporary unemployment provided by close family members. Finally, social networks do not alter the relative employment and earnings performance of unauthorized and legal immigrants in the absence of networks.

Keywords: Social Networks, Undocumented Mexican Immigrants, Double-Selection, MMP

Suggested Citation

Mundra, Kusum and Amuedo-Dorantes, Catalina, Social Networks and Their Impact on the Employment and Earnings of Mexican Immigrants (September 2004). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=725918 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.725918

Kusum Mundra (Contact Author)

Department of Economics, Rutgers University, Newark ( email )

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HOME PAGE: http://kmundra.newark.rutgers.edu

Catalina Amuedo-Dorantes

San Diego State University - Department of Economics ( email )

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IZA Institute of Labor Economics

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