Study: Newly arrived Hispanic immigrant men drove down other workers' wages

Associated Press ^ | Aug. 18, 2003 | ALEX VEIGA

[new cruelty]

LOS ANGELES - Men working blue-collar and service jobs in 15 states tended to earn lower pay when they were employed alongside newly arrived Hispanic immigrant men because the new arrivals were often paid less, driving down the wages for all, according to a UCLA study.

The UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center study released Monday analyzed 1990 Census data on male workers in 38 U.S. metropolitan areas. It found that men - both native and established immigrants - earned an average of 11 percent less than others in comparable low-level service and manual labor jobs when they worked with Hispanic newcomers.

Minority workers in those jobs earned an average of 14 percent less. And the higher the proportion of newly arrived Hispanic men, the less money the other workers tended to make, the study said.

The study results reflect only the period of time the data were collected. The same type of data from the 2000 Census has not been released yet, said Lisa Catanzarite, the senior research sociologist who conducted the study.

"These findings push us to understand that wage penalties in 'brown-collar' occupations stem from newcomer Latinos' marginal status, and not from immigration, per se," Catanzarite said.

Employers' attitudes and immigrants' status when they first come to the United States are to blame for the disparity in wages in some jobs, she said.

Many employers devalue certain jobs where Hispanic immigrants are overrepresented, such as landscaping, construction, farm labor, groundskeeping and painting, and pay less. And immigrants are unable to resist low wages and have little political power to demand proper pay, so they end up working for less, Catanzarite said.

"The point is, if you have a vulnerable group, when they're exploited, then that can push down wages for everybody," she said. "Somewhat paradoxically, policies to combat pay penalties for native-born workers necessarily involve improving the status of immigrants."

The study recommends expanding worker protections for the immigrants, enforcing minimum wage standards and extending amnesty.

Catanzarite said people should not infer from the study that immigrant labor hurts American workers.

"The findings don't suggest that immigration overall is hurting native-born workers," she said. "Some of these jobs wouldn't even exist if those immigrants weren't here."

Among the metropolitan areas tracked in the study were the cities of Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Boston, Las Vegas, Dallas and Washington.

[Pikamax]

"The findings don't suggest that immigration overall is hurting native-born workers," she said. "Some of these jobs wouldn't even exist if those immigrants weren't here."

"Many employers devalue certain jobs where Hispanic immigrants are overrepresented, such as landscaping, construction, farm labor, groundskeeping and painting, and pay less."


>>>tell me which of these jobs would not exist?

[Shermy]

They jump through loops to avoid the obvious supply/demand equation - blame "marginality" (as if the employer cares) and the myth about jobs not existing otherwise.

But they make some interesting steps forward. Perhaps on the verge of realizing mass immigration, especially illegal, disproportionately depresses (as intended) the market power of minorities, the poor, and labor workers of America who are citizens. Sounds racist to me.

[Gritty]

The study recommends expanding worker protections for the immigrants, enforcing minimum wage standards and extending amnesty.

I have a better idea. Instead of rewarding illegals, deport them.

Overall wages will go up for those on the lower end of the scale, dollars will stay in the USA instead of being shipped to Mexico, the state will get some share of the tax revenue and tons of money will be saved on "services".

Everyone wins, except those who aren't legally here in the first place!

[Gunslingr3]

tell me which of these jobs would not exist?

The ones that can not be afforded, or in other words provide value commensurate with cost.

If the study wasn't written by a communist he might arrive at a very different conclusion. He might realize that blue collar workers employed in fields that even a non-English speaking common laborer can perform as ably in isn't really as valuable, and hence isn't paid as much, as someone doing more mental, albeit blue collar, work. Gasp!

It's either robots, or Mexicans, or Chinese, and even if it's robots the unions will demand 8 people to supervise and oil the robot in four shifts. I can't fathom why capital to fund manufacturing continues to leave this country.

[knarf]

On the surface, I'd predict a 'war' between the 'I was here first' Hispanics and those that are, 'I got here the same way you did'.

The socialists will go crazy trying to satisfy both factions and the Supremes will be called upon to rule on the constitutionality of who is worth what and for why.

It's a mess for sure, but we can continue to fight with the ballot.

I truly believe God has not yet forsaken America.

[Gunslingr3]

dollars will stay in the USA instead of being shipped to Mexico

Yeah, except the capital is going to China, to employ even cheaper labor.

tons of money will be saved on "services".

LOL hard. Yeah, I'm sure the socialist will trim their budgets instead of widen their nets. Your optimism is refreshing, if not sadly unreal.

[Mike Darancette]

File this report under "Duh Ya Think?".

[dalebert]

Just wait til the rest of them get here. Right now I am in a small town where the main industries are Tysons chicken and lumber. The so called immegrants are taking over this place.This used to be indian territory now its called "little Mexico". While they are increasing Tysons profits others are stripping native grapvine out of the mountains so there are no more wild grapes for the animal population or my jelly. It takes 5 years for a wild grapevine to mature. They are making wreaths to sell at flea markets and hauling them out of here by the truck loads. These so called immegrants are doing more than harming our economy. I also heard the lumber industry is encouraging them to do this.

[janetgreen]

They trash every area they move into. Mr. Brain Surgeon George Bush doesn't seem to notice, he's sitting on his splendid throne.

[dalebert]

I wrote the President about this and his reply was that he is for legal immegration only and not illegals. Also said that they are increasing equipment and border gaurds on the border by 20 thousand. Is that true?

[afz400]

"Some of these jobs wouldn't even exist if those immigrants weren't here."
These immigrants perform tasks that used to be performed by high school and college students. Try finding your kid a decent summer job except hamburger flipping now.

[afz400]

"Yeah, except the capital is going to China, to employ even cheaper labor."
And guess where the next place our capital will go - Vietnam - where labor costs are 1/3 China's. And I'm sure WalMart will be more than happy to sell goods that are "Made in Vietnam" and we Americans who have lost all sense of principle will gladly buy them.

[Rebelbase]

Construction work, specifically a residential framing carpenter could get $10+ hour with a year's experience a few years ago. The building sites now pay only around $8.00/hr and you'd be hard pressed to find an english speaking framing carpenter on the job.

[Rebelbase]

Texas_Dawg will show up soon and tell us all how good it is that these Mexicans are driving down wages, after all its a Free Market.

[sarasmom]

"The ones that can not be afforded, or in other words provide value commensurate with cost"
Really?
And the cheap imported illegal slaves who dont pay for healthcare or auto insurance add a few dollars to the bottom line of the employer who illegally hires them, while everyone else in this country pays in the form of escalating premiums and lower living standards.
Tell me, just how long do you think the short term marginally higher profit margins will benefit the employer?
Atlas will shrug.When he does,the employer of illegal slaves will not be invited to join the new John Gault society.They will starve along with the slaves and the rest of the greedy socialists.
Or did you not think it through to the logical conclusion?

[Ajnin]

I wrote the President about this and his reply was that he is for legal immegration only and not illegals. Also said that they are increasing equipment and border gaurds on the border by 20 thousand. Is that true?

I don't know if the Border Patrol is to be increased by 20,000 but they are getting a lot more people. The Border Patrol is also recieving more equipment as well. For example RVS cameras monitor nearly 70 miles of border in the El Centro Sector. The RVS cameras, vehicle barriers and increased manpower has had a significant impact on ilegal immigration in California.

[dagnabbit]

George Bush appears to want to abolish the United States in favor a merged "Amerexico". Little else can explain his continued miserable failure to control illegal immigration and to get a handle on legal immigration levels. So far, he's displayed zero leadership on the issue.

In terms of immigration, in fact, we were probably better off under Klinton. At least then, the GOP Congress could get a reform law passed (part of which Jorge has already undone).