Economic Impacts of Immigration
Immigration Research
At the NAID Center we study a broad range of topics that seek to understand the complex dynamics of human migration, particularly in the context of the United States. At the NAID Center we analyze historical, social, economic, political, and cultural factors that shape immigration patterns, policies, and experiences.
Timeline of Immigration Legislation and Reform in The US
Historic Immigration Legislation 18th Century - 21st Century
18th century
- 1790: The Naturalization Act of 1790 establishes the first rules for naturalization in the United States, limiting it to free white persons of good character who have lived in the country for two years.
- 1798: The Alien and Sedition Acts are passed, allowing the president to deport aliens and restrict freedom of speech and the press.
19th century
- 1864: The Immigration Act of 1864 encourages immigration to the United States.
- 1870: The Naturalization Act of 1870 extends the right of naturalization to African Americans.
- 1875: The Page Law prohibits the immigration of Chinese women and girls.
- 1882: The Chinese Exclusion Act prohibits the immigration of Chinese laborers.
- 1887: The Lodge Bill is introduced in Congress, proposing a literacy test for immigrants.
20th century
- 1903: The Dillingham Commission is appointed to study immigration.
- 1917: The Immigration Act of 1917 bars immigrants from countries at war with the United States.
- 1921: The Emergency Quota Act establishes quotas for immigrants from different countries.
- 1924: The Immigration Act of 1924 further restricts immigration, establishing a national origins quota system that favors immigrants from Northern and Western Europe.
- 1942: The Bracero Program is established to bring Mexican workers to the United States to work in agriculture.
- 1943: The Magnuson Act repeals the Chinese Exclusion Act.
- 1952: The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 codifies the national origins quota system and creates a preference system for close relatives of U.S. citizens.
- 1965: The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 abolishes the national origins quota system and establishes a preference system for skilled workers and family members of U.S. citizens.
- 1980: The Refugee Act of 1980 establishes uniform standards for the admission of refugees to the United States.
- 1986: The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 grants amnesty to undocumented immigrants who arrived in the United States before 1982 and establishes a program for employers to verify the immigration status of their employees.
21st century
- 2001: The No Child Left Behind Act requires schools to provide English language instruction to immigrant students.
- 2002: The Homeland Security Act establishes the Department of Homeland Security, which is responsible for immigration enforcement.
- 2006: The Secure Fence Act authorizes the construction of a fence along the U.S.-Mexico border.
- 2012: The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is created to allow certain undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children to stay in the country and work legally.
- 2014: The Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) program is announced, but is blocked by the courts.
- 2017: President Trump rescinds DACA and DAPA, and increases immigration enforcement.
- 2023: President Biden announces a new initiative to protect DACA recipients and create a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
US-MX Immigration Relations
The Bracero Program
The Bracero Program was a binational agreement between the United States and Mexico that allowed Mexican workers to come to the United States to work in agriculture from 1942 to 1964. The program was launched in response to labor shortages during World War II, and it continued after the war to meet the growing demand for agricultural labor in the United States.
Over the course of the program, more than 4.5 million Mexican workers came to the United States to work under the Bracero Program. The workers were primarily employed in farms and ranches in the Southwest and Midwest, and they played a vital role in feeding the American people during a time of great need.
However, the Bracero Program was also plagued by problems. Workers were often subjected to exploitation and abuse, and they were often paid less than American workers. The program was also criticized for its negative impact on Mexican society, as it drained the country of its labor force and contributed to rural poverty.
In 1964, the Bracero Program was ended due to a combination of factors, including pressure from labor unions, concerns about the exploitation of Mexican workers, and the growing availability of American agricultural workers.
Background
The Bracero Program was launched in 1942 in response to labor shortages in the United States caused by World War II. Many American men were fighting in the war, and others were working in defense industries. This left a shortage of workers to harvest crops and perform other agricultural tasks.
The U.S. government turned to Mexico to fill this labor shortage. Mexico was willing to participate in the program because it provided an opportunity for its citizens to earn a good living and send money back to their families.
How the program worked
The Bracero Program was administered by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Mexican government. The program was designed to protect the rights of Mexican workers, but it was often difficult to enforce these protections.
Workers were recruited in Mexico and then transported to the United States by train or bus. They were typically assigned to work on specific farms or ranches for a period of six months to one year. Workers were guaranteed a minimum wage, but they were often paid less than American workers.
Working conditions
Working conditions under the Bracero Program varied widely. Some workers were well-treated and paid fairly. Others were subjected to exploitation and abuse.
Workers often lived in crowded and squalid conditions. They were sometimes forced to work long hours in dangerous conditions. They were also sometimes denied access to medical care and other essential services.
Impact on Mexican workers
The Bracero Program had a significant impact on Mexican workers and society. The program provided a much-needed source of income for many Mexicans, but it also drained the country of its labor force and contributed to rural poverty.
The program also had a negative impact on the families of Mexican workers. Many workers were separated from their families for months or even years. This caused a lot of stress and hardship for families.
Impact on the United States
The Bracero Program had a positive impact on the U.S. economy. The program helped to ensure that there was a sufficient supply of agricultural labor in the United States. This helped to keep food prices low and to maintain the country's food security.
However, the program also had some negative impacts on the United States. The program was criticized for its negative impact on American workers, who often had to compete with Mexican workers for jobs. The program was also criticized for its negative impact on Mexican society.
End of the program
The Bracero Program was ended in 1964 due to a combination of factors. One factor was pressure from labor unions, who argued that the program was depressing wages and displacing American workers. Another factor was concern about the exploitation of Mexican workers. Finally, the growing availability of American agricultural workers also contributed to the decision to end the program.
Conclusion
The Bracero Program was a complex and controversial program. It had both positive and negative impacts on both the United States and Mexico. The program helped to ensure that there was a sufficient supply of agricultural labor in the United States, but it also led to the exploitation of Mexican workers and had a negative impact on Mexican society.
The Bracero Program is a reminder of the complex relationship between the United States and Mexico. It is also a reminder of the importance of protecting the rights of migrant workers.
Major Legislation
IRCA
The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) was a landmark piece of legislation that granted legal status to millions of undocumented immigrants living in the United States. IRCA also established new employer sanctions for hiring undocumented workers.
Background
In the early 1980s, there were an estimated 3 to 6 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States. Many of these immigrants had come to the United States to escape poverty and violence in their home countries. They were often employed in low-wage jobs in agriculture, construction, and the service industry.
The growing number of undocumented immigrants in the United States led to a rise in public concern about immigration. Some people argued that undocumented immigrants were a drain on the economy and that they were taking jobs away from American workers. Others argued that undocumented immigrants should be given a chance to legalize their status and become productive members of society.
IRCA
IRCA was passed by Congress in 1986 and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan. The law had two main goals: to grant legal status to millions of undocumented immigrants and to reduce illegal immigration.
To achieve these goals, IRCA established two legalization programs: the Special Agricultural Worker (SAW) program and the General Immigration Amnesty (GIA) program. The SAW program was available to undocumented immigrants who had worked in agriculture in the United States for at least 90 days between May 1, 1985 and May 1, 1986. The GIA program was available to undocumented immigrants who had lived continuously in the United States since before January 1, 1982.
Under both programs, eligible immigrants could apply for temporary resident status and eventually permanent resident status. Over 3 million undocumented immigrants legalized their status under IRCA.
IRCA also established new employer sanctions for hiring undocumented workers. Employers are now required to verify the immigration status of all new hires. Employers who knowingly hire undocumented workers can face fines and other penalties.
Impact of IRCA
IRCA had a significant impact on the United States. The law helped to reduce illegal immigration and to bring millions of undocumented immigrants out of the shadows. IRCA also helped to improve the lives of undocumented immigrants and their families.
However, IRCA also had some negative impacts. The employer sanctions provisions of the law have been criticized for leading to discrimination against immigrants and for making it difficult for immigrants to find jobs. Additionally, IRCA did not address the root causes of illegal immigration, such as poverty and violence in Central America.
Despite its flaws, IRCA was a landmark piece of legislation that helped to improve the lives of millions of undocumented immigrants and to make the United States a more just and equitable society.
DACA and The Dreamer Movement
DACA
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is a United States immigration policy that allows certain undocumented immigrants who entered the country as children to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and to be eligible for a work permit.
History of DACA
DACA was created by an executive order issued by President Barack Obama on June 15, 2012. The program was created in response to the failure of Congress to pass the DREAM Act, which would have provided a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children.
Dreamer Movement
The Dreamer Movement is a grassroots movement of undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children. The movement advocates for a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and for comprehensive immigration reform.
The Dreamer Movement has had a significant impact on immigration reform. The movement has raised awareness of the challenges facing Dreamers and has built support for a pathway to citizenship. The movement has also helped to mobilize the Latino community and has made immigration a major issue in American politics.
Impact of the Dreamer Movement on DACA
The Dreamer Movement played a key role in the creation of DACA. The movement's advocacy and activism helped to build public support for a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers. The movement also put pressure on the Obama administration to take action to protect Dreamers.
Impact of DACA on Immigration Reform
DACA has had a mixed impact on immigration reform. On the one hand, the program has provided protection to hundreds of thousands of Dreamers and has helped to raise awareness of the challenges facing undocumented immigrants. On the other hand, DACA has also been seen by some as a temporary solution that does not address the root causes of illegal immigration.
Despite its limitations, DACA has been a significant step forward for immigration reform. The program has shown that there is public support for a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers. The program has also paved the way for other policies, such as the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) program, which would provide protection to millions of undocumented immigrants who are parents of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.
Conclusion
The DACA program and the Dreamer Movement have had a significant impact on immigration reform. The program has provided protection to hundreds of thousands of Dreamers and has helped to raise awareness of the challenges facing undocumented immigrants. The movement has also mobilized the Latino community and made immigration a major issue in American politics.
While the future of DACA is uncertain, the program and the Dreamer Movement have made it clear that there is public support for a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and for comprehensive immigration reform.
