LEP Language Disability, Immigration Reform, and English-Language Acquisition

Authors

Alberto Dávila, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Marie T. Mora, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-5-2016

Abstract

Policy might partly shape the English-language acquisition of Hispanics migrating to the U.S. mainland, particularly policies related to limited-English-language disability benefits and immigration reform. Using data from the American Community Survey, we find that island-born Puerto Ricans on the U.S. mainland, as U.S. citizens, may have lower incentives to learn English than Hispanic immigrants because of their higher participation in LEP disability programs. However, among Mexican immigrants, recent immigration reform aimed at interior enforcement might have increased incentives for Mexican immigrants to learn English to reduce their probability of detection, if speaking English proxies for undocumented status.

Comments

© 2016, American Economic Association. Original published version available at https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.p20161113.

Recommended Citation

Dávila, Alberto, and Marie T. Mora. “LEP Language Disability, Immigration Reform, and English-Language Acquisition.” American Economic Review 106, no. 5 (May 2016): 478–83. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.p20161113.

First Page

478

Last Page

483

Publication Title

American Economic Review: Papers & Proceedings

DOI

10.1257/aer.p20161113