A Theory of Immigration Amnesties

Epstein, Gil S.; Weiss, Avi

Download This Paper

Open PDF in Browser

Add Paper to My Library

A Theory of Immigration Amnesties

40 Pages Posted: 19 Jun 2001

See all articles by Gil S. Epstein

Gil S. Epstein

Bar-Ilan University - Department of Economics; IZA Institute of Labor Economics; University College London - CReAM - Centre for Research and Analysis of Migration

Avi Weiss

Bar-Ilan University - Department of Economics; Taub Center for Social Policy Studies in Israel; IZA Institute of Labor Economics

There are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: June 2001

Abstract

This paper presents a first attempt at understanding some of the many issues involved in the granting of an amnesty to illegal immigrants. We consider government behavior with respect to allocations on limiting infiltration (border control) and apprehending infiltrators (internal control) and with respect to the granting of amnesties, the timing of amnesties, and limitations on eligibility for those amnesties. We demonstrate the effects of government actions on allocations and the flow of immigrants, and how the interactions between these factors combine to yield an optimal amnesty policy. We also consider various extensions such as intertemporal transfers of policing funds, risk-aversion, and "fuzziness" in declarations regarding eligibility for an amnesty aimed at apprehending and deporting undesirables.

Keywords: Amnesty, Immigration, Illegal Immigration, Border Controls, Internal Controls

JEL Classification: J61, J68, H59

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Epstein, Gil S. and Weiss, Avi, A Theory of Immigration Amnesties (June 2001). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=270795