Children of immigrants account for nearly one-fourth (24 percent) of the U.S. child population. Both children of immigrants and children of natives often face similar challenges related to health, poverty, and access to a high quality education. However, the same policies and programs aimed at safeguarding children in low-income families can sometimes impose significant barriers to children in immigrant families, particularly when issues such as language and immigration status are not adequately addressed. Thus, future federal legislation impacting children should address the access barriers and needs of children in immigrant families. This fact sheet makes policy recommendations to improve access for all children.
