Self-selection, earnings and Chicano migration: differences between return and onward migrants.

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Economics
• Demography

Background:

• Chicano migration is a significant demographic phenomenon.
• Understanding the economic outcomes of return migration is crucial for policy and social science.
• Previous studies have not fully addressed selectivity biases in Chicano return migration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine earnings differentials between Chicano return and onward migrants.
• To analyze the role of self-selection in migration decisions and outcomes.
• To investigate the impact of individual and locational attributes on migrant earnings.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the 1990 U.S. Census Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS).
• Employed statistical methods to control for migration and labor force self-selection.
• Analyzed earnings profiles based on migration status and geographic concentration of co-ethnics.

Main Results:

• Chicano return migrants are not negatively self-selected.
• Return migrants exhibit smaller earnings profiles compared to onward migrants.
• Higher concentrations of co-ethnics in residential areas negatively impact return migrant earnings.

Conclusions:

• Return migration among Chicanos is not driven by negative economic selection.
• The lower earnings of Chicano return migrants are primarily attributed to locational factors.
• Chicano return migrants may prioritize non-pecuniary benefits, such as residing in the Southwest, over immediate financial gains.