Children of Immigrants

Children of immigrants are affected every day by policy choices on immigration, education, health care, and a range of other issues. And because one-fourth of children in America today are children of immigrants, those choices shape America’s future. The First Focus Center for the Children of Immigrants challenges policymakers to ensure that all children and families, regardless of immigration status, have the opportunity to live the American Dream.
Download our fact sheet to learn more about the First Focus Center for the Children of Immigrants.
Resources
Joint Letter: Protect children in mixed-status families from being separated from their parents
| July 31, 2023 |
First Focus on Children sent the following letter to attorney General Merrick Garland and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas — co-signed by the …
Statement for the Record: Expanding Medicaid to DACA Recipients
| July 18, 2023 |
First Focus on Children joined the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Center for Law and Social Policy, the Georgetown Center for Children and Families, …
Statement: Title 42 ends, but children still in danger
Michele Kayal | May 11, 2023 |
Asylum ban, deterrence policies will punish children WASHINGTON, May 11, 2023 —Today marks the end of the Title 42 policy, put in place by the …
Title 42 ends, but children still in danger
Miriam Abaya (Former Staff) | May 11, 2023 |
Will we measure success by how many we reject or how many we protect? Today, at 11:59 pm, the Title 42 policy put in …
Statement: Children deserve access to quality, affordable health care coverage
Michele Kayal | April 14, 2023 |
In response to President Biden’s expansion of access to health care coverage to recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, First Focus on …
Policy Brief: The Harmful Consequences of Work Requirements and Other Obstacles to Services for Children and Families
Abbie Malloy, Abuko Estrada, Averi Pakulis, Cara Baldari, Michelle Dallafior | April 4, 2023 |
Each year, federal programs provide children with affordable health care, nutritious food, stable housing, and early childhood education. These programs not only lift millions …
Comment on “Circumvention of Lawful Pathways”
| March 27, 2023 |
First Focus on Children submitted the following comment to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security urging them to withdraw the “Circumvention of Lawful Pathways” …
Reviving family detention will hurt children
Michele Kayal | March 10, 2023 |
Advocate urges changes to the system instead On the recently reported news that the Biden Administration is considering reviving the policy of detention for …
“Fast not Fair:” New report highlights how children seeking asylum are fast-tracked for deportation
Michele Kayal | March 7, 2023 |
Asylum practices specifically hurt children, report finds In a report released today, First Focus on Children and the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights …
Issue Brief: Fast, Not Fair — How Expedited Processes Harm Immigrant Children Seeking Protection
| March 6, 2023 |
Over the years, an increasing number of children and families have arrived at the U.S. southern border seeking protection from persecution, violence, and abuse. …