Quantitative Data Availability and Measurement of U.S. Immigrant and Immigration Policies: IMR Methods Note

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Public Policy
• Demography

Background:

• Quantitative data on U.S. immigrant and immigration policies (IIPs) has significantly increased over the past two decades.
• Scholarly investigations into IIPs have advanced, utilizing new data sources, measures, and analytical strategies.
• This growing body of research aims to understand the effects of IIPs on both immigrant and non-immigrant populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review quantitative data sources, measures, and analytical strategies for studying U.S. immigrant and immigration policies (IIPs).
• To highlight advances in identifying the intended, unintended, and spillover effects of IIPs.
• To discuss challenges and future opportunities for research on the psychosocial, behavioral, and health implications of IIPs.

Main Methods:

• Review of quantitative data sources and scholarly literature on U.S. immigrant and immigration policies (IIPs) from the last 20 years.
• Analysis of analytical strategies employed in IIP research.
• Synthesis of findings on IIP effects and identification of research gaps.

Main Results:

• The availability of data on immigration enforcement and immigrant laws has spurred sophisticated quantitative studies of the U.S. IIP climate.
• Research has advanced in identifying the effects of IIPs on various populations.
• Existing work can be strengthened by comparing IIP measures, exploring heterogeneous effects, and addressing endogeneity.

Conclusions:

• Increased quantitative data and sophisticated methods are enhancing the study of U.S. immigrant and immigration policies (IIPs).
• Further research is needed to compare IIP measures, examine effects across diverse subpopulations, and account for the political and demographic factors shaping IIPs.
• Addressing these areas will deepen our understanding of the psychosocial, behavioral, and health implications of IIPs.