The Urban Institute on Immigrant Children

Nationwide, a quarter of all children in 2019 had an immigrant parent, a share that was even higher in many communities. For many of their families, misinformation and fear combine with eligibility and structural barriers to prevent them from seeking housing and health insurance programs, other safety net services, and thriving in education systems—a trend that has continued as the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted immigrant communities.

In a new blog series on Urban Wire, accompanying newly released 2019 data on children of immigrants, experts in housing, health, and education explore how these children are currently served across policy areas, how they’ve been affected by COVID-19, and how policymakers can help alleviate the barriers they face:

• Policymakers Can Prioritize Better Ways to Support Children of Immigrants through Housing Assistance
• Four Takeaways on How Children of Immigrants Fit in Education Policy
• Reforms to health care policy can help support children of immigrants and their families’ well-being

As the researchers write, research shows that lack of safe and stable housing, quality education, and health insurance and healthcare can affect children’s long-term outcomes. Without intentional engagement to support children in immigrant families, the economic future and well-being of the next generation could be in jeopardy.

KJ