Abstract
In this paper, I study how temporary labor migration affects political outcomes. Using the microdata on the employers’ applications for permits to employ workers on H2-A and H2-B temporary work visas, I construct a Bartik-type instrument for the number of temporary labor migrants in each county. Merging this data with the results of the elections and data on political polarization, I show that, unlike permanent migration, temporary labor migration does not increase the vote share of anti-immigration parties and decreases political polarization, but only the far right polarization, while increasing the far left polarization. To ensure the robustness of my results, I also perform numerous robustness checks, including constructing a simulated instrument, following Borusyak and Hull (2021), looking at different election years, and using different specifications.