Complaint-driven Regulation and Working Conditions: Evidence from Immigration Enforcement

53 Pages Posted: 18 Oct 2021 Last revised: 18 Mar 2024

See all articles by Amanda Grittner

Amanda Grittner

Abt Associates, Inc.

Matthew S. Johnson

Duke University - Sanford School of Public Policy

Date Written: June 11, 2022

Abstract

Regulatory agencies overseeing the labor market often rely on worker complaints to direct their inspections. However, if workers face differential barriers to complain, this system could result in ineffective targeting and disparate working conditions. We find that counties’ participation in Secure Communities-- a localized immigration enforcement program---substantially reduced complaints to government safety regulators, but increased injuries, at workplaces with Hispanic workers. Secure Communities also increased minimum wage violations among Hispanic and---to a lesser extent---non-Hispanic workers, consistent with the public good nature of complaints. Despite worsened working conditions, we find no effect of Secure Communities on worker turnover.

Keywords: labor regulations; workplace safety; immigration enforcement

JEL Classification: J28, J81, I18

Suggested Citation

Grittner, Amanda and Johnson, Matthew, Complaint-driven Regulation and Working Conditions: Evidence from Immigration Enforcement (June 11, 2022). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3943441 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3943441

Amanda Grittner

Abt Associates, Inc. ( email )

55 Wheeler Street
Cambridge, MA 02138-1168
United States

Matthew Johnson (Contact Author)

Duke University - Sanford School of Public Policy ( email )

201 Science Drive
Box 90312
Durham, NC 27708-0239
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
395
Abstract Views
1,887
Rank
137,068
PlumX Metrics