Source-country social programs and the age composition of legal US immigrants

In this study we use the concept of the marginal migrant to develop a theoretical model of the age composition of US immigration. Two age classes of immigrants are distinguished, 20-34 and 50 and over, along with sex and entry class (numerically restricted, numerically exempt). Annual data (1972-1991) for 109 source countries are pooled, and the Hausman-Taylor instrumental variable technique is employed to estimate regressions that satisfy adding-up restrictions. Along with measures of differential economic opportunities, migration costs, and US institutional controls, we incorporate into the analysis a unique set of variables relating to social programs in source countries. Such programs prove to be significant determinants of the age composition of US immigrants.