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Immigration policy and fertility: Evidence from undocumented migrants in the U.S

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  • Amuedo-Dorantes, Catalina
  • Arenas-Arroyo, Esther

Abstract

Using the 2005–2014 waves of the American Community Survey –a period characterized by the rapid expansion of interior immigration enforcement initiatives across the United States, we evaluate the impact of a tougher policy environment on undocumented immigrants’ fertility. We find that a one standard deviation increases in enforcement lowers childbearing among likely undocumented women by 5%. The effect stems from police-based measures linked to increased deportations, which may raise uncertainty about the future of the family unit and its resources.

Suggested Citation

  • Amuedo-Dorantes, Catalina & Arenas-Arroyo, Esther, 2021. "Immigration policy and fertility: Evidence from undocumented migrants in the U.S," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 274-297.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:189:y:2021:i:c:p:274-297
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2021.06.027
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Dong, Xiaoqi & Liang, Yinhe & Zhang, Jiawei, 2023. "Fertility responses to the relaxation of migration restrictions: Evidence from the Hukou reform in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    2. Esther Arenas-Arroyo & Bernhard Schmidpeter, 2022. "Spillover Effects of Immigration Policies on Children's Human Capital," Economics working papers 2022-13, Department of Economics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria.
    3. Gunadi, Christian, 2022. "The Fertility Effect of Laws Granting Undocumented Migrants Access to Driving Licenses in the United States," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1094, Global Labor Organization (GLO).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Fertility; Immigration policy; Interior immigration enforcement; Undocumented immigrants; Unauthorized immigrants; United States;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • K37 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Immigration Law

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