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Determinants of immigrant apprehensions: The case of U.S. immigration

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  • Buzurukov, Bilol
  • Lee, Byeong-Wan

Abstract

The incidence of illicit behaviors among foreign-born residents in the U.S. reveals significant variations across countries of origin. This paper identifies the factors underlying such cross-country variations in immigrant apprehensions by using cross-sectional data from 104 countries averaged across the 2002-2013 period. The results based on multiple regression techniques highlight the home country's social ills such as corruption, theft and homicide as key determinants. Also included in the regression models, as control variables, are proxies for economic development and geographic proximity to the U.S. Noteworthy is that, alcohol consumption, another explanatory variable, is negatively related to the apprehension incidence in the host country. These results suggest that chronic socio-economic problems such as corruption, crimes, and poverty in the country of origin are central in explaining the crosscountry variations in alien apprehensions in the U.S.

Suggested Citation

  • Buzurukov, Bilol & Lee, Byeong-Wan, 2015. "Determinants of immigrant apprehensions: The case of U.S. immigration," Economics - The Open-Access, Open-Assessment E-Journal (2007-2020), Kiel Institute for the World Economy, vol. 9, pages 1-25.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:ifweej:201539
    DOI: 10.5018/economics-ejournal.ja.2015-39
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • A13 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Social Values

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