Do Enclaves Matter in Immigrant Adjustment?

Barry Chiswick and Paul Miller

No 449, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: This paper is concerned with the determinants and consequences of immigrant/linguistic concentrations (enclaves). The reasons for the formation of these concentrations are discussed. Hypotheses are developed regarding “ethnic goods” and the effect of concentrations on the immigrant’s language skills, as well as the effects on immigrant earnings of destination language skills and the linguistic concentration. These hypotheses are tested using PUMS data from the 1990 U.S. Census on adult male immigrants from non-English speaking countries. Linguistic concentrations reduce the immigrant’s own English language skills. Moreover, immigrant’s earnings are lower the lower their English-language proficiency and the greater the linguistic concentration in their origin language of the area in which they live. The adverse effects on earnings of poor destination language skills and of immigrant concentrations exist independently of each other.

Keywords: Immigrants; United States; earnings; language skills; ethnic goods; enclaves; ethnic/immigrant concentrations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J15 J24 J31 J61 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 56 pages
Date: 2002-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-geo and nep-lab
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (72)

Published - published in: City and Community, 2005, 4 (1), 5-35

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Related works:
Working Paper: Do Enclaves Matter in Immigrant Adjustment? (2000)
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