RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Immigration Enforcement and Origin Country Labor Markets
JF Journal of Human Resources
JO J Hum Resour
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 0525-14310R2
DO 10.3368/jhr.0525-14310R2
A1 Pearson, Thomas
YR 2026
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/early/2026/07/02/jhr.0525-14310R2.abstract
AB This paper studies how increased immigration enforcement in the destination country impacts labor markets in the origin country. Using variation in Mexican migrant networks and Secure Communities (SC), a policy which expanded local immigration enforcement, I show that the deportation of Mexican migrants from the U.S. increases return migration to Mexico and decreases monthly earnings for workers there. The negative earnings effects are largest for workers most similar to return migrants in terms of their demographics, occupations, and employment types, and are consistent with increased labor market competition.