Underlying push and pull factors in undocumented immigration in the United States

Abstract

ABSTRACT There is continued empirical and theoretical debate about the push and pull factors of immigration and the effects that legislation has. This study contributes towards this debate by identifying the drivers within the United States between 2005 and 2010. This study also puts forth a new more refined definition of restrictive immigration legislation and examines its impact on immigration. Hypotheses are developed to test for the effects of different policies, which are tested using a cross-sectional time series model with fixed effects and Driscoll-Kraay. The results show that undocumented populations were not broadly deterred by state immigration policies, but an E-Verify scheme, which limits access to employment and is punitive against employers was successful in deterring immigration. These findings have important consequences because to date, state immigration policies seem to function as symbolic overtures with very little or no actual policy output.