The lack of action by federal policymakers to address immigration reform has resulted in the introduction of state laws around the country that have a direct impact on children of immigrants. Utah A Dream of Youthful HopesAttorney General Mark Shurtleff discusses federal and state proposals such as the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act), in-state tuition, and punitive state immigration laws as they relate to children and families. He makes the case for a sensible and just approach to immigration reform that recognizes the need to support children of immigrants. His paper also highlights the success of the Utah Compact as well as the importance of recent federal administrative reforms and culturally competent youth development programs.

This paper is part of the Big Ideas: Children in the Southwest series. The complete publication will be released in the fall, but individual papers are now available. Sign up online to ensure that you receive each Big Ideas paper as it is released.