Labor Participation among Aging Immigrants in the United States

Haruna M. Fukui, Arizona State University

This study explores the mechanisms of labor force participation of immigrants age 50 and above with two particular interests: (1) the effect of aging and immigration status by time of arrival, (2) the effect of aging, immigration status, and country of origin. Data comes from three year pooled sample of American Community Survey, 2006-2008. I will run sets of weighted logistic regression which include interaction terms. Preliminary results show that the immigrants who arrived between 1965 and 2000 are more likely to have worked than the U.S. born counterparts. As population ages, the magnitude of difference by nativity as well as timing of immigration decrease although immigrants and Post IRCA immigrants in particular, continue to show higher presence in the labor market well into 70s. When compared to Asian counterparts, among Latin American immigrants, 1965-1985 cohort is less likely, but Post 2001 cohort is more likely to have worked.