Employment characteristics, including employment status, history, and employment search patterns, were compared among three migrant groups--immigrants, recent migrants, and long-term migrants--from a representative sample of 218 migrant farmworkers randomly drawn in Wayne County, New York, during the summer of 1982. Results indicated that immigrants were very competitive in employment and had levels of weekly wages, annual income, and fringe benefits similar to those of native-born migrants. The same comparisons of employment and economic profiles were also made between male and female native-born migrants. It was found that female migrant farmworkers received lower weekly wages and a smaller number of fringe benefits than their male native-born counterparts. Determinants of weekly wages were analyzed in a multiple regression model. It was found that a migrant farmworker's weekly wage is primarily determined by two selected background variables--sex and migrant status--and such basic human capital variables as formal education. Another separate model indicates that employers tended to provide more fringe benefits to those recent migrants who have worked for a long period of time, are productive, and have high scores on mental health status. Impacts of potential changes in future immigration policy on native-born migrant farmworkers are discussed with reference to the findings. (Author)