AEA Papers and Proceedings
ISSN 2574-0768 (Print) | ISSN 2574-0776 (Online)
Unlocking Occupational Opportunity: The Labor Market Effects of DACA
AEA Papers and Proceedings
(pp. 344–350)
Abstract
US hiring laws shape the types of jobs undocumented migrants can access, often limiting them to roles with low detection risk. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program granted temporary work authorization to undocumented childhood arrivals. Using a difference-in-differences approach, we estimate how DACA eligibility affected young adults’ occupational outcomes. DACA reduced the likelihood of working in traditional immigrant or high-injury jobs and increased entry into government positions and occupations requiring licensing. Overall, DACA shifted noncitizen childhood immigrants into better-paying, higher-skill jobs, suggesting that legal barriers—not ability—limit undocumented youths’ employment opportunities, leading to substantial misallocation of talent.Citation
Chin, Aimee, Kalena E. Cortes, and Camila Morales. 2026. "Unlocking Occupational Opportunity: The Labor Market Effects of DACA." AEA Papers and Proceedings 116: 344–350. DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20261099Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- J13 Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
- J15 Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
- J18 Demographic Economics: Public Policy
- J24 Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
- J28 Safety; Job Satisfaction; Related Public Policy
- K31 Labor Law
- K37 Immigration Law