Economic Progress via Legalization: Lessons from the Last Legalization Program
Economic Progress via Legalization: Lessons from the Last Legalization Program looks at the economic outcomes for beneficiaries of the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986.
The data analyzed in the report indicate that unauthorized immigrants who gained legal status through the legalization provisions of the IRCA experienced clear improvement in their socioeconomic situation. Between 1990 and 2006, the educational attainment of IRCA immigrants increased substantially, their poverty rates fell dramatically and their home ownership rates improved tremendously. Moreover, their real wages rose, many of them moved into managerial positions and the majority did not depend upon public assistance.
Many factors affect the socioeconomic improvement of IRCA immigrants, including their increased familiarity with American society and their advancing age. However, as the report states, the fact remains that the data indicate the IRCA population improved its status both as a group and compared to natives.
In the authors' view, the findings support the notion that legalization of unauthorized immigrants can play a role in promoting economic growth and lessening socioeconomic disparities. Reforming the U.S. immigration system is not an obstacle to getting the economy back on track—it is part of the solution.
Rob Paral and Associates. (2009). Economic Progress via Legalization: Lessons from the Last Legalization Program. Washington, D.C.: Immigration Policy Center.