Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine hourly wage differences across different groups of Mexican-origin workers. First, we assess the cost of foreign-born status by comparing the hourly wages of Mexican immigrant workers with those of native-born Mexican American workers. Second, we assess the cost of non-citizenship status by comparing the hourly wages of non-citizens with those of Mexican-born U.S. naturalized citizens. We also seek to determine if these costs are greater in California than in Texas. The data are drawn from the 2000 5% Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) U.S. Census. The results from multiple regression analyses reveal that being an immigrant, particularly a non-citizen immigrant, is associated with lower hourly wages, especially in California. Thus, Mexican-origin workers, especially those in California, bear dual costs for being foreign-born and not being naturalized citizens. Finally, we focus on length of time in the United States to assess whether the findings from the initial analyses hold. Results suggest two important points. First, the duration of stay in the United States is positively associated with hourly wage. Second, reflecting anti-immigrant policies and sentiments, those in California, especially a large number of relatively new immigrants and non-citizens, have faced much more disadvantaged labor market contexts than those in Texas.

Supporting Publications:
Supporting Document
Supporting Document
Supporting Document
Supporting Document
Supporting Document
Supporting Document
Supporting Document

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: This paper investigates the determinants of political participation across three populations: Anglo-Americans, Mexican-Americans, and Mexicans. It focuses on the ways in which disparities in the levels of resources, motivations, and opportunities can explain gender and ethnic/national inequalities in participation. We find gender differences in the levels of resources, motivations, and opportunities that prepare individuals for politics, and we find even starker gaps across Anglo-Americans, Mexican-Americans, and Mexicans. In regression analysis, we find differences in the levels of resources, motivations, and opportunities effectively account for gender differences within each of the three populations. However, differences in the levels of these participatory inputs partially, but do not fully, account for the gaps in participation across Anglo-Americans, Mexican-Americans, and Mexicans.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This paper compares electoral and non-electoral political participation patterns of Mexican immigrants of recent arrival in Central Illinois with those of a national sample of Mexican Americans from the Pew Foundation.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This paper analyzes political non-electoral and electoral paticipation of Mexicans and Mexican Americans in Central Illinois and Nationwide.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Crime and drug use is spreading among social networks of young Mexican Americans. This study examines the role of social networks in shaping this behavior among this population. Focus is on the importance of family networks as particularly important because family involvement in drugs is argued to be a catalyst for these behaviors among young U.S.-Mexicans. Addressed is how non-family networks (especially close friends, neighbors and associates from other activities) may also be influential. Using the methods of analytic ethnography, the study identifies, describes and explains variations in the social networks among this specific population, and how their interaction with specific aspects of Mexican American culture affects risk behaviors. The study concludes that these two networks (family and non-family) often intersect with each other influencing heroin use and other related criminal behaviors. These findings support explanations of individual risk behavior derived by network facilitation theory.