Planet Money Do immigrants really take jobs and lower wages?
58 snips
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.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
The Mariel Boatlift
- In 1980, Fidel Castro allowed disloyal Cubans to leave, leading to the Mariel Boatlift.
- 125,000 Cubans, mostly low-skilled workers, arrived in Miami, increasing its workforce by 8%.
Card's Unexpected Findings
- Economist David Card used the Mariel Boatlift as a natural experiment to study immigration's labor market impact.
- He compared Miami to similar cities and found no significant negative effect on wages or unemployment.
Initial Rejection, Eventual Triumph
- David Card's initial paper on the Mariel Boatlift was rejected by journal referees.
- Despite initial criticism, the paper became foundational in immigration economics and contributed to Card's Nobel Prize.