Do Enclaves Matter in Immigrant Adjustment?

55 Pages Posted: 31 Mar 2002

See all articles by Barry R. Chiswick

Barry R. Chiswick

University of Illinois at Chicago; IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Paul W. Miller

Curtin University of Technology - School of Economics and Finance; IZA Institute of Labor Economics; Curtin University - Centre for Research in Applied Economics

Date Written: March 2002

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, Earnings, Language Skills, Enclaves, Ethnic/Immigrant Concentrations, Ethnic Goods, United States

JEL Classification: J15, J24, J31, J61

Suggested Citation

Chiswick, Barry R. and Miller, Paul W. and Miller, Paul W., Do Enclaves Matter in Immigrant Adjustment? (March 2002). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=305367 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.305367

Barry R. Chiswick (Contact Author)

University of Illinois at Chicago ( email )

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IZA Institute of Labor Economics

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Germany

Paul W. Miller

Curtin University of Technology - School of Economics and Finance ( email )

GPO Box U1987
Perth WA 6845
Australia

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

Curtin University - Centre for Research in Applied Economics ( email )

GPO Box U1987
Perth, Western Australia 6845
Australia

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