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Opening the Door: Immigrant Legalization and Family Reunification in the United States

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  • Elizabeth Cascio
  • Ethan Lewis

Abstract

Does opening the door to US citizenship for unauthorized immigrants cause out-of-control “chain migration”? We address this question using variation from the legalization programs of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA). Exploiting IRCA’s introduction and differences across metropolitan areas in program intensity, we estimate that each IRCA-legalized Mexican was responsible for the subsequent immigration and legal admission of one relative, in total, through 2019. Most sponsored relatives were immediate family, and the adult sponsorship rate is inconsistent with out-of-control chain migration. Estimates using cross-country variation are substantively similar and suggest limited demand for reunification of extended families.

Suggested Citation

  • Elizabeth Cascio & Ethan Lewis, 2025. "Opening the Door: Immigrant Legalization and Family Reunification in the United States," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 43(4), pages 1101-1133.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jlabec:doi:10.1086/730165
    DOI: 10.1086/730165
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