Do Immigrants and Their Children Free Ride More Than Natives?

Abstract

The main goal of this paper is to analyze the differences between immigrant and native households in their volunteer contributions and private transfer behavior, as well as their receipt of assistance from nongovernment sources. In addition, we examine how the immigrant-native differences evolve over time as immigrant households accumulate US experience. Finally, we examine the voluntary contribution behavior of second generation immigrants and children in immigrant households to gain insight into the long-term impact of immigration. We do not find evidence that immigrant households free ride more than native-born households. First, immigrant households, when compared to similar native-born households, are less likely to receive assistance from nongovernment sources. Second, immigrant status has no statistically significant impact on monetary contributions toward public good provision. We also find that the immigrant-native differences in monetary and time contributions tend to diminish over time as immigrants acquire US experience. Finally, we find no significant differences between the second generation of immigrants and third or higher generations of Americans in their voluntary contributions of money and time. We obtain similar results for children in immigrant households: they are not significantly different from children in native households in their time contribution and in their enrollment in federal meal programs. The results are robust to various income and wealth controls. Do Immigrants and Their Children Free Ride More Than Natives?