The Myth of the Melting Pot: An Economic Analysis of Immigration Policy in the U.S.

Abstract

My capstone examines the topic of Latino immigration through an economic analysis of immigration reform in the United States. As my main case study, I evaluate Proposition 187 from 1994 in California. I then look at three more recent instances of immigration policy: Bush's proposed Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007, the Dream Act, and H.B. 56 from Alabama in 2012. In investigating these policies, I focus my analysis on their economic effects or projected economic effects. I seek to evaluate the economic arguments made by both supporters and opponents of the legislation.