Immigration Law Enforcement and Immigrant Homeownership

Abstract

We use the American Community Survey microdata and employ difference-in-differences (DID) models to examine how local immigration law enforcement, through 287(g) agreements and the Secure Communities program, impacts homeownership among different demographic groups. The findings indicate that 287(g) agreements significantly reduce the likelihood of homeownership, particularly among Hispanics without a college education and U.S. citizenship, with effects most pronounced in states lacking E-Verify mandates. The Secure Communities program exhibits more nuanced effects, initially showing positive impacts for specific Hispanic populations; however, these results are not robust to pre-trend analyses. Additional factors such as length of U.S. residence, English proficiency, age, and household income strongly influence immigrant homeownership outcomes, underscoring the complex interplay between policy enforcement and socio-economic assimilation. The results highlight unintended economic consequences of immigration enforcement policies, suggesting important considerations for housing stability, financial security, and integration policies aimed at immigrant and broader community well-being.