Fake marriages, asylum, and gas station robberies: institutional determinants of migrants' strategies

I study institutional and political determinants of migrants’ immigration strategies using the United States’ system as a case study. Drawing from work that theoretically connects decisions to immigrate legally vs. illegally well theoretical insights literature on economics crime, show how relative probabilities successful migration different utility gained weigh heavily in immigrants’ calculus. To do so, use qualitative evidence migrant face policy constraints. These various constraints lead variety tactics revolving around regarding whether legally, commit visa fraud, or choose one type over another. In process, also build rich body Public Choice demonstrate complicated regulatory systems, this systems quantitatively restrict migration, encourage rent-seeking by both migrants nonmigrants.