Inequality at Work: Hispanics in the U.S. Labor Force

This book presents a comprehensive economic analysis of the rapidly growing Hispanic labour force in the U.S. The author evaluates the leading economic theories on immigration and on racial and ethnic inequality in incomes and employment. He then tests these theories empirically with a variety of recent national data sets. Many of the findings throw into question widely held views among the public, academics, and policymakers. The author surveys the evolution of each of the main national-origin subgroups: Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Central and South Americans, and other Hispanic Labour forces in the U.S. He finds that the Hispanic disadvantage in income, poverty, and unemployment has remained chronically large and has actually been increasing in recent years. He finds that Hispanics are unusually vulnerable to recessionary downturns in the national economy. His study of the impact of undocumented Hispanic immigration into the U.S. contradicts claims that immigration, either legal or illegal, increases the unemployment or lowers the earnings of American workers.