ABSTRACT
Similarity between old and current unauthorized immigrants: We have good information regarding unauthorized immigrants legalized under the provisions of the 1986 Immigration and Reform Control Act (IRCA) thanks to two surveys conducted for the Department of Labor: the 1999 legalized population survey (LPS-1) conducted on a sample of 6193, and a 1992 follow-up (LPS-2) on a sample of about 4000 who had participated in the first survey.* About 70 percent came from Mexico; almost 80 percent of the men and 65 percent of the women reported finding a job within the first year. Many experienced initial downward mobility in comparison with their jobs in the country of origin but resumed their position after learning English and legalizing their status.
