Self-selection patterns in Mexico-U.S. migration: The role of migration networks

David McKenzie and Hillel Rapoport ()

No 701, RF Berlin - CReAM Discussion Paper Series from Rockwool Foundation Berlin (RF Berlin) - Centre for Research and Analysis of Migration (CReAM)

Abstract: This paper examines the role of migration networks in determining self-selection patterns of Mexico-U.S. migration. We first present a simple theoretical framework showing how such networks impact on migration incentives at different education levels and, consequently, how they are likely to affect the expected skill composition of migration. Using survey data from Mexico, we then show that the probability of migration is increasing with education in communities with low migrant networks, but decreasing with education in communities with high migrant networks. This is consistent with positive self-selection of migrants being driven by high migration costs, as advocated by Chiquiar and Hanson (2005), and with negative self-selection of migrants being driven by lower returns to education in the U.S. than in Mexico, as advocated by Borjas (1987).

Keywords: Migration; migration networks; educational attainments; self-selection; Mexico (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D31 J61 O15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2007-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dev, nep-mig and nep-soc
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (82)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Self-Selection Patterns in Mexico-U.S. Migration: The Role of Migration Networks (2010)
Working Paper: Self-selection patterns in Mexico-U.S. migration: the role of migration networks (2007)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:crm:wpaper:0701

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