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Return Migration Decisions and Declining Earnings: Immigrants in Linked Survey and Administrative Data

Author

Listed:
  • Randall Akee
  • Maggie R. Jones

Abstract

Using a novel panel data set of recent immigrants to the US (2005–2007) from individual-level linked US Census Bureau data and Internal Revenue Service records, we measure the impact of return migration on immigrants’ earnings growth and earnings assimilation. We show that by ten years after arrival, almost 40 percent of recent immigrants have return migrated. We show, for the first time, that return migrants experience downward earnings mobility over two to three years prior to their return migration, suggesting that declining earnings are closely related to emigration decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Randall Akee & Maggie R. Jones, 2026. "Return Migration Decisions and Declining Earnings: Immigrants in Linked Survey and Administrative Data," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 61(3).
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:jhriss:v:61:y:2026:i:3:p:
    Note: DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.0722-12457R2
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination

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