Illegal aliens : their employment and employers /

With the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Congress attempted to resolve the issue of illegal aliens. Chiswick argues that the problems of illegal immigration have not been "legislated away" by the new law. He also contends that "there is too little rigorous social science research for the development of a deeper understanding of the illegal alien labor market, which is a prerequisite to the development of effective public policy." Chiswick analyzes the characteristics of aliens and employers in the Chicago area. Employers identified by the Immigration and Naturalization (INS) files were surveyed on a "double blind" basis and compared with a general population. Information on workers was compiled from INS forms completed by the aliens themselves. Most of the aliens studied were young, single, Mexican males entering the US without inspection. Employers exhibited seasonal hiring patterns, were part of an ethnic enclave, and were associated with restaurant and lawn-care industries. Chiswick concludes that the 1986 Act will have minimal impact unless substantial resources are devoted to its enforcement. This work offers a new methodological approach to immigrant labor markets. The book will be of particular interest to students with a background in statistical analysis, but others may find it overly technical as an introductory treatment. Upper-division and graduate collections. R. L. Hogler Colorado State University