Planet Money
Do immigrants really take jobs and lower wages?
Jun 29, 2024
This discussion dives deep into the heated debate on immigration's impact on the job market. It highlights the Mariel Boatlift as a pivotal case study, showcasing how a sudden influx of Cuban immigrants transformed Miami's economy. The podcast also contrasts various economists' perspectives, particularly the groundbreaking work of David Card and the controversial claims by George Borjas regarding wages and job competition. Ultimately, it unveils a consensus that immigration's effects on native wages are minimal, despite ongoing political polarization.
25:43
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Quick takeaways
- David Card's Mariel boatlift study showed immigrant influx had minimal impact on Miami's wages and job availability.
- George Borjas' research contradicted Card's findings, indicating negative wage effects on low-skilled workers post-Mariel boatlift.
Deep dives
The Mariel Boatlift Experiment
The podcast delves into the Mariel boatlift natural experiment that occurred in Miami in 1980, where 125,000 Cuban immigrants suddenly entered the workforce. Despite expectations, economist David Card's research revealed that the influx had virtually no impact on wages or unemployment rates. This unexpected outcome challenged traditional theories of immigration's effects on the labor market and ignited a heated debate among economists.
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