Urban Institute: “Part of Us: A Data-Driven Look at Children of Immigrants” (March 2019)

The Urban Institute has released “Part of Us: A Data-Driven Look at Children of Immigrants” (March 2019):

“Shedding light on the children of immigrants who are shaping this country’s future March 14, 2019 One out of every four children in the US has at least one immigrant parent. Most are US citizens and the majority have at least one parent who is a US citizen. These children are America’s children; the nation’s future is inextricably linked to theirs. Their ability to learn, grow, and thrive is a measure of what this country will become.

The characteristics and realities of children of immigrants and their families are far more diverse and complex than suggested by stereotypes in public debate. These nine charts aim to tell a more complete story of who these children are, dispelling myths and shedding light on the diversity of their experiences, characteristics, and backgrounds.”

The report includes data showing the following:

One-Quarter of US Children Are Children of Immigrants

Most Children of Immigrants Have US-Citizen Parents

Children of Immigrants’ Parents Are More Likely to Have Less Than a High School Education, but a Large Share Have a Four-Year College Degree

Children of Immigrants’ Families Work Hard, but They Are More Likely to Have Low Incomes

Children of Immigrants’ Parental Country of Origin Varies by State and Region

Most Children of Immigrants Have One or More Immigrant Parents Who Have Been in the US for Many Years

Greatest Increase in the Share of Children Who Are Children of Immigrants Has Occurred in Some Unexpected Parts of the Country

Children of Immigrants Are More Likely to Be Bilingual Than Other Children

Children of Immigrants Are More Likely to Live in Two-Parent Families

Policies Affecting Children of Immigrants Should Be Rooted in Evidence

KJ