Education, English Language Proficiency, And Earnings Of Male Immigrants In The U.S. Labor Market

Abstract

Using samples of male Mexican and Chinese immigrants taken from 1990 Census PUMS data, this paper investigates the determinants of English language proficiency (ELP) and its effect on male immigrants’ earnings.  The findings are: 1) the educational attainments are crucial in improving ELP; 2) the effects of ELP on earnings are significant for both Chinese and Mexican immigrants and among all educational categories.  The importance of educational attainment and ELP on the immigrants’ economic success is reestablished.