English Language Proficiency and the Earnings of Mexican Immigrants

Authors

Jeremy Sandford '02, Illinois Wesleyan University

Abstract

This paper studies the effect of English language deficiency on the wage rates of Mexican immigrants. Using a sample of 81,059 labor market male Mexican immigrants taken from Census PUMS data, I find that the direct effect of English language deficiency on earnings is virtually nonexistent for immigrants with low education and experience levels. These results show that only immigrants with at least a high school education or some US labor market experience will make less than their immigrant counterparts who speak English very well.

Recommended Citation

Sandford '02, Jeremy (2002) "English Language Proficiency and the Earnings of Mexican Immigrants," The Park Place Economist: Vol. 10
Available at: https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/parkplace/vol10/iss1/17