Differential Impacts of California’s Paid Family Leave Program among Immigrants and U.S. Natives

PROJECT DATE: to
In 2004, California became the first state to offer paid family leave to eligible parents (henceforth, CA-PFL). Previous research, which combines immigrants and U.S. natives, concludes that CA-PFL increased parental leave-taking among both mothers and fathers; boosted women's hours of paid work and earnings; and increased the likelihood that high-earning mothers returned to their pre-leave employer. Immigrants, including unauthorized immigrants, were eligible for the CA-PFL program under the same eligibility rules as all other residents. This study investigates the differential impact of CA-PFL on parental leave-taking and subsequent maternal labor market outcomes among immigrants compared with U.S. natives. Cultural differences and lack of permanent legal status, among other factors, may result in immigrants responding differently than U.S. natives to the program, on average. We therefore also distinguish between immigrants who lack legal status and other immigrants.

Organization

University of Notre Dame

PRIMARY INVESTIGATOR

Eva Dziadula

Primary Research Expertise

Population

Adult

,

Child

,

Teen

Tags

immigrants, paid family leave, labor market outcomes