Encouraging Naturalization: The Broader Effects of DACA on U.S. Immigration

Author(s)/Creator(s)

Emily Battaglia, University of DelawareFollow
Thomas Pearson, Syracuse UniversityFollow

Description/Abstract

This paper examines how protection from deportation and work authorization affect immigration outcomes, focusing on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Using a difference-in-differences design exploiting geographic variation in exposure to DACA-eligible immigrants, we find that DACA significantly increased the number of naturalized citizens without increasing the number of noncitizens. This increase is driven by higher naturalization among prior noncitizens, most of whom are likely not DACA beneficiaries. We provide evidence consistent with DACA increasing incentives for, and reducing barriers to, naturalization by protecting undocumented DACA-eligible contacts, suggesting temporary protections can encourage longer-term commitments and permanent residence among existing immigrants.

Document Type

Working Paper

Date

2-13-2026

Keywords

DACA, immigration, immigration status, immigration policy, naturalization

Language

English

Series

Working Papers Series

Disciplines

Economic Policy | Economics | Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration | Public Policy

ISSN

1525-3066

Additional Information

CPR Working Paper No. 284

Recommended Citation

Battaglia, Emily and Pearson, Thomas, "Encouraging Naturalization: The Broader Effects of DACA on U.S. Immigration" (2026). Center for Policy Research. 522.
https://surface.syr.edu/cpr/522

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.