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Are Immigration Regularization Programs a Pull Factor? Evidence for OECD Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Paúl Elguezabal

    (University of Goettingen)

  • Inmaculada Martínez-Zarzoso

    (University of Goettingen & University of Goettingen)

Abstract

This paper evaluates the impact of regularisation programs on immigration flows using a newly collected dataset and panel-data techniques applied to gravity models. The main novelty is twofold. First to present the dataset with detailed information on regularisation policies in OECD countries, including those implemented over the period from 1944 to 2023 and specifying the timeframe of implementation and the origin nationalities targeted. And second, to estimate the impact with a gravity model of bilateral migration applying a Poisson pseudo maximum likelihood estimator for an unbalanced panel of 193 origins and 32 OECD destinations for 199-2022. The main results indicate that the regularisation impact is very heterogeneous across geographical regions of incoming migrants and across groups of countries depending on their level of development. In particular, the results indicate that regularisation programs are a pull factor for lower-income OECD destinations.

Suggested Citation

  • Paúl Elguezabal & Inmaculada Martínez-Zarzoso, 2024. "Are Immigration Regularization Programs a Pull Factor? Evidence for OECD Countries," Working Papers 2024.14, International Network for Economic Research - INFER.
    • Handle: RePEc:inf:wpaper:2024.14
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Paolo Pinotti, 2020. "The Effect of Immigrant Legalization on Crime," CESifo Forum, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, vol. 21(04), pages 19-22, November.
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    3. Joël MACHADO, 2017. "Dealing with Undocumented Immigrants: The Welfare Effects of Amnesties and Deportations," JODE - Journal of Demographic Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 83(4), pages 445-492, December.
    4. Pia Orrenius & Madeline Zavodny, 2003. "Do amnesty programs reduce undocumented immigration? Evidence from Irca," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 40(3), pages 437-450, August.
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    • F - International Economics

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