Return Migration and Illegal Immigration Control

Alexander Kemnitz and Karin Mayr-Dorn

No 2012040, Norface Discussion Paper Series from Norface Research Programme on Migration, Department of Economics, University College London

Abstract: This paper investigates the effectiveness of immigration control policies when the duration of stay of illegal immigrants is endogenous because they may return home voluntarily. It shows that return intentions matter. First, we find that spending on border enforcement can potentially increase the total amount of illegal labor in the receiving country. This is because, while fewer illegals enter the country, those who do enter stay longer. Second, in-site inspections reduce illegal labor, unless there is an amnesty: then, they can have the opposite effect. Third, fines on apprehended migrants have only limited effect.

Keywords: Return Migration; Illegal Migration; Immigration Control; Immigration Policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F22 K42 O17 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012-12
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-mig
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Working Paper: Return Migration and Illegal Immigration Control (2012)
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