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on Economics of Human Migration |
| By: | Marbach, Moritz; Vallizadeh, Ehsan; Harder, Niklas; Hangartner, Dominik; Hainmueller, Jens |
| Abstract: | Given the global displacement crisis, the integration of refugees has emerged as a critical policy issue for many host countries. A key challenge involves supporting refugees in learning the language of their host country. While several European nations have instituted publicly funded language training for asylum seekers and refugees soon after their arrival, evidence on the efficacy of these early language programs in promoting economic integration remains limited. This study examines the impact of a pioneering, large-scale ad hoc program introduced by German policymakers, which provided basic language training to over 230, 000 refugees arriving in 2015-16. Utilizing register data on the population of asylum seekers and exploiting a cutoff date in program eligibility, we assess the program's effectiveness using a regression discontinuity design. Our findings reveal no discernible effect on refugee employment over the subsequent two years. To explore whether language programs are generally ineffective during refugee crises, we contrast these results with the impacts of a more comprehensive, preexisting, yet smaller-scale program. Using a variety of difference-in-differences estimators, we find that this program considerably increased refugee employment. These contrasting findings offer important insights for policymakers on designing effective language training programs for refugees. |
| Date: | 2024–10–04 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:socarx:2ysd6 |
| By: | Rhea Ravenna Sohst; Alessio Fusco; Philippe Van Kerm |
| Abstract: | We provide evidence on the relative differences in the disposable incomes of native and foreign-born households in 21 European countries using EU-SILC data for 2008, 2013 and 2018. Using influence function regression, we derive the contribution of foreign-born households to host country indicators of income inequality and polarization. Individuals living in foreign-born households tend to be over-represented in the lower tails of the income distribution. Although there is heterogeneity in the incomes of foreign-born households, their generally disadvantaged positions tend to push national income inequality upward. This pattern persists in many countries, albeit mitigated in magnitude, when we account for the differences in socio-demographic characteristics. The effect on the Foster-Wolfson index of polarization is more mixed, with immigrants in many countries showing no significant contribution to polarization. Using tools adapted from meta-analysis, we find a strong association between welfare regimes and the contribution of immigrant households to inequality and polarization. |
| Keywords: | migration; inequality; Europe; bi-polarization; EU-SILC; RIF regressions; meta-analysis |
| Date: | 2024–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:irs:cepswp:2024-06 |
| By: | Anton A. Cheremukhin; Sewon Hur; Ron Mau; Karel Mertens; Alexander W. Richter; Xiaoqing Zhou |
| Abstract: | The U.S. experienced an extraordinary postpandemic surge in unauthorized immigration. This paper combines administrative data on border encounters and immigration court records with household survey data to document two new facts about these immigrants: They tend to be hand-to-mouth consumers and low-skilled workers that complement the existing workforce. We build these features into a model with capital, household heterogeneity and population growth to study the inflationary effects of this episode. Contrary to the popular view, we find little effect on inflation, as the increase in supply was largely offset by an increase in demand. |
| Keywords: | immigration; population growth; inflation; skills; hand-to-mouth |
| JEL: | E21 E22 E31 F22 J11 J15 |
| Date: | 2024–10–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fip:feddwp:98919 |
| By: | Byran Fanning (School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland) |
| Abstract: | Responses to refugees and international protection applicants in the Republic of Ireland have, in recent years, mostly been reactive attempts at crisis management. Since the invasion of the Ukraine by Russia in 2022, Ireland has admitted exponentially larger numbers of refugees than previously (under the European Temporary Protection Directive) alongside hugely increased numbers of asylum seekers (International Protection applicants). In the absence of state capacity to provide adequate accommodation for the increased number of refugees and asylum seekers and to provide supports for host communities, this has led to an ongoing wave of anti-refugee protests and anti-social behaviour promoted and exploited by far-right groups in both deprived urban areas and in rural areas. The focus of this paper is on a number of interconnected challenges. There is a need to develop services, accommodation and infrastructure to meet the needs of future projected arrivals, as well as those who have arrived in recent years. There is also a need to proactively address anxieties within host communities by improving engagement with and supports to these communities. Zero-sum perceptions that host communities suffer from the arrival of refugees need to be addressed. This cannot be done without a wider social policy focus on social cohesion, community development and the strategic development of State capacity to provide proactive supports to host communities. |
| Keywords: | Asylum seekers, community engagement, far-right, politics, hostile environments, International protection applicants, localism, protests, refugees, social cohesion, state capacity, Ukrainians |
| JEL: | P0 |
| Date: | 2024–03–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ucd:wpaper:202405 |