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Unwelcome Guests? The Effects of Refugees on the Educational Outcomes of Incumbent Students

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  • David N. Figlio
  • Umut Özek

Abstract

The world is experiencing the second largest refugee crisis in a century, and one of the major points of contention involves the possible adverse effects of incoming refugees on host communities. We examine the effects of a large refugee influx into Florida public schools following the Haitian earthquake of 2010 using unique matched birth and schooling records. We find precise zero estimated effects of refugees on the educational outcomes of incumbent students in the year of the earthquake or in the two years that follow, regardless of the socioeconomic status, grade level, ethnicity, or birthplace of incumbent students.

Suggested Citation

  • David N. Figlio & Umut Özek, 2017. "Unwelcome Guests? The Effects of Refugees on the Educational Outcomes of Incumbent Students," NBER Working Papers 23661, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:23661
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    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • J10 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - General

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