The Socioeconomic Status of Recent Mothers of Mexican Origin in Los Angeles County: A Comparison of Undocumented Migrants, Legal Migrants, and Native Citizens.

The study ascertained some facts concerning illegal aliens relevant to making decisions concerning amnesty for those illegal aliens already in the United States. Using a probability sampling of birth certificates in Los Angeles County, California in 1980 and 1981, 715 interviews were conducted with parents of babies where, according to the birth certificate, the mother was reported to be of Mexican origin. In addition, 188 interviews were conducted with parents where the mother was reported to have been born in the United States. Information was collected on characteristics of both parents, legal status in the United States, length of residence in California and in Los Angeles County, income received in 1979 outside the United States and while residing in the United States, and utilization of health and welfare services. Respondents also gave information concerning an unmarried brother 18-45 years old or a childless sister 18-39 years old if such was living in Los Angeles County. Respondents were classified by immigration status: undocumented immigrants, resident aliens or naturalized U.S. citizens, and native born U.S. citizens. Among the findings were: (1) that undocumented parents had a lower level of educational attainment; (2) a high proportion of undocumented persons, particularly women, had no ability to speak English; (3) of those women probably eligible for welfare services, those native born had the highest proportion of welfare payments and undocumented women the lowest; (4) food stamp use did not vary significantly with immigration status; (5) enrollment in the California Medicaid program for the medically indigent was highest for those born in the United States; and (6) the enrollment of children between ages 3 and 18 in school was lowest for undocumented Mexican-origin mothers. (NQA)