Freakonomics Radio
580. The True Story of America’s Supremely Messed-Up Immigration System
Mar 14, 2024
Zeke Hernandez, a Wharton professor and author, Roger Nam from Emory University, and Leah Boustan of Princeton delve into America's complicated immigration narrative. They dissect the irony of a nation built by immigrants now grappling with xenophobia. The discussion uncovers the historical truths of Ellis Island, explores emotional vs. factual viewpoints on immigration, and highlights the economic triumphs of immigrant families and refugees. Their insights reveal the economic necessity of migration and challenge prevailing misconceptions.
55:05
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Quick takeaways
- The discriminatory National Origins Act of 1924 imposed strict quotas on immigrants, hindering inventiveness and failing to benefit native workers.
- Research indicates that immigrant children in the US outperform native-born children economically due to positive selection dynamics.
Deep dives
American Immigration History: Rollercoaster of Legislation and Impact
The podcast delves into the complex history of American immigration, highlighting pivotal legislative changes and their socioeconomic impact. Starting from the lack of immigration restrictions during the founding period, the episode progresses to the discriminatory National Origins Act of 1924. The Act imposed strict quotas on different nationalities, barring Asian immigrants and limiting Southern and Eastern European entrants. Corresponding to the decline in immigration, the US saw a significant drop in inventiveness and patent filings, alongside no beneficial impact on native workers' labor market conditions.
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