Why Immigration Is an Urban Phenomenon

Monras, Joan

Journal Article

Why Immigration Is an Urban Phenomenon

Abstract: Immigration is fundamentally an urban phenomenon. Both in the United States and elsewhere, immigrants settle primarily in cities—especially high-wage, high cost-of-living cities. The most likely reason is that immigrants often send a significant share of their income back to their origin country. As a result, they value a city’s high wages and are less discouraged by the high living costs than native-born workers. Migration policies can reinforce this urban concentration pattern.

Keywords: immigration; migration; immigrants; income; wages;