Social Networks and Their Impact on the Employment and Earnings of Mexican Immigrants
43 Pages Posted: 19 May 2005
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
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