Thread by @leah_boustan

What is the American Dream?

One aspect: Immigrants who arrive with little can improve their children’s prospects

Has this ever been true? Is it less true today?

A thread on my new paper with Ran Abramitzky, @elisajacome and @seperez84

nber.org/papers/w26408

@elisajacome @seperez84 We look at millions of father-son pairs in 3 cohorts (immigrants in 1880, 1910 and 1980*)

Kids of immigrants earn more than kids of US-born who grew up *at same income rank.* Mobility advantage true today & past, and for nearly every sending country

*thanks to @OppInsights

@elisajacome @seperez84 @OppInsights Where do kids growing up at bottom (say, 25th percentile) end up? We looked at big sending countries

In past, 2nd gen from 15/17 countries at 25th p end up above kids of US-born

Today, 2nd gen from 19/21 countries at 25th p end up above kids of US-born

@elisajacome @seperez84 @OppInsights Why do the children of immigrants have an advantage?

@elisajacome @seperez84 @OppInsights * Immigrant families more likely than US born to move to areas offering better prospects for their children

* Immigrant parents “under-placed” in income distribution, thus allowing their children more scope for upward mobility

@elisajacome @seperez84 @OppInsights Bottom line: Our findings supports idea of “American Dream” -- even immigrants who come to the United States with few resources and little skills have a real chance at improving their children’s prospects /end