Children of Immigrants: Facts and Figures

While Congress and the administration debate the future of the 11-12 million unauthorized immigrants, it is important to keep in mind that more than 5 million children live with unauthorized parents. Two-thirds of these children are U.S.-born citizens, a share that increases to 93 percent among those under age 6. As with the adults, the children will be greatly affected by what happens in Washington. If unauthorized parents are forced to leave the country, they will have to make a difficult choice: whether to leave their children behind or take them to another country. On the other hand, if a significant share of the parents gain a form of legal status — whether temporary or permanent — this could greatly increase their economic well-being, improving circumstances for their children. To learn more about the children of immigrants, especially those with unauthorized parents, there is a new fact sheet from the Urban Institute available by clicking here.

KJ