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This study examines the labor market costs associated with being foreign-born and not having U.S. citizenship among Mexicans in California and Texas, the two largest states. Data from the 2000 5% Public Use Microdata Sample are used to conduct the multivariate regression analysis. The results show that being an immigrant, particularly a non-citizen immigrant, is associated with lower hourly wages in California as compared with Texas. The results also indicate that these costs are greater for those who arrived after 1990, especially in California. Findings suggest that Mexican immigrants faced harsher social context in California in the post-IRCA (Immigration Reform and Control Act) period, as represented in anti-immigrant policies and sentiments. Partly, larger population concentration of immigrants, especially non-citizens, could be a source of intensive within-group labor market competition among the foreign-born workers. (Contains 6 tables and 11 notes.)

The use of standardized testing to evaluate academic achievement is a widely debated topic. Despite controversies, standardized testing is used in all educational levels from elementary school to college entrance examinations. One of the ethnic groups particularly affected by this is the Mexican-origin population. An integrated model (individual, family, peer, and institutional factors) is used to enhance our understanding of the disparity in standardized mathematic test scores between Mexican-origin and White students. Findings show that socioeconomic status (SES) explains the majority of the gap in test scores. However, Whites reap more favorable returns to SES than do students of Mexican origin. Furthermore, if Mexican-origin students were to resemble their White peers in terms of generational status the gap in scores would widen. (Contains 2 tables and 3 notes.)

Analyzes the determinants of employment among Mexican-origin women who immigrated to the United States in the 1980s. Derives nine hypotheses from the analytical model and examines them through logistic regression. Results support seven hypotheses, including one about the women's educational background. (SLD)

In 1985, poverty rates in Texas nonmetro areas were 41 percent for Latinos and 53 percent for Blacks, compared to 27 percent for both groups in Texas metropolitan areas. Individual, household, and structural factors were related differently to poverty status among the ethnic/residence groups. Contains 62 references. (SV)

Explores reasons for absence of Chicanos in rural sociology. Possible causes include (1) absence of rural-sociology support system for Chicanos; (2) social-class biases and other institutional factors limiting Chicanos' higher-education and research opportunities; and (3) subject-matter limitations and uncertain status of ethnic studies. Suggests possible responses. (TES)

Mexican immigrant women in the United States are most likely to be working as domesticas (maids) more so than in any other occupation in the United States. This occupation provides some women with weak ties in which they gain knowledge about the social world of their employers, especially in areas with relatively large Mexican-origin populations. This paper examines the extent to which Mexican immigrant husbands gain economic benefits from their wives' employment as domesticas. Data from the 2000 5% Public Use Microdata Sample are used to conduct the analysis. The results indicate that there are no statistically significant differences in hourly wages between Mexican immigrant husbands whose wives are employed as domesticas and their counterparts whose wives are employed in other occupations. However, we find a significant interaction effect between domestica employment and the relative size of the Mexican population in the area of residence. As such, Mexican men whose wives are employed as domesticas and who live in areas with a greater presence of Mexicans have higher hourly wages than do their counterparts. Key words: Domesticas, Mexican women immigrants, gender relations, The Economic Benefits of Domestica Employment: The Case of Mexicans Even though there have been changes in the sex composition of Mexican migration to the United States, this movement continues [...]