Compares characteristics of recent immigrant arrivals in the United States using two measures from the U.S. Census, the "came-to-stay" question and the migrant question. Results suggest that immigration researchers should consider the idea of arrival carefully to distinguish between newcomers and the resident foreign born. (SLD)

Data from the 1990 U.S. Census on the effect of admission criteria on immigrant earnings profiles found that nonoccupation-based immigration, usually family-based, was associated with lower entry earnings but higher earnings growth than occupation-based immigration. Earnings became nearly equal after 11 to 18 years. (SLD)