Complaint-driven Regulation and Working Conditions: Evidence from Immigration Enforcement
53 Pages Posted: 18 Oct 2021 Last revised: 18 Mar 2024
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: Suggested Citation