On kidsdata.org, measures related to immigrant populations include the following:

• Percentage of children living in limited English-speaking households (i.e., households in which (i) no one age 14 or older speaks English only, and (ii) no one age 14 or older who speaks a language other than English speaks English very well)
• Percentage of children living with at least one foreign-born parent, overall and by income level
• Percentage of the population that is foreign-born, by age group

Depending on the indicator, data are available as (a) single-year estimates for cities, school districts, and/or counties with 65,000+ residents, (b) five-year estimates for cities, school districts, and counties with 10,000+ residents, and/or (c) five-year estimates for legislative districts.

Children who live with foreign-born parents represent a large and growing segment of the U.S. child population (1). In 2016, this group accounted for roughly one-quarter of all children in the U.S. and one-half of all children in California, which has the highest percentage of foreign-born residents in the country (2, 3). Most California immigrants are documented residents, and most children of immigrants are native-born U.S. citizens (1, 3).

Today's immigrant children are demographically diverse, and their educational and health status varies widely depending on factors such as place of origin, residence, and length of time in the U.S. (1, 4). Although immigrants are more likely to be employed than their U.S.-born counterparts, children with foreign-born parents are more likely than other children to live in poverty (1, 3, 4, 5). Children in immigrant families also are more likely to have parents with low educational attainment, to live in limited English-speaking households, and to be in fair or poor physical health (1, 4). It is therefore important for local and state government, schools, health care systems, and community organizations to address the needs of these children and families, support their strengths, and work to eliminate service barriers.

According to 2016 estimates, children living with at least one foreign-born parent accounted for 49% of all children statewide and 59% of children living in poverty. Although these estimates are similar to previous years, percentages vary widely at the local level. For example, an estimated 64% of children in Santa Clara County lived with foreign-born parents in 2012-2016, compared with 5% in Trinity and Tuolumne counties. Nationally, children with foreign-born parents made up roughly a quarter (26%) of the child population in 2016 and less than a third of all children in poverty (32%).

An estimated 11% of California children lived in limited English-speaking households in 2016, down from 15% in 2007. The percentage of children living in limited English-speaking households also varies at the county level, from less than 1% (Siskiyou) to more than 23% (Monterey) among counties with data in 2012-2016.

In 2016, an estimated 3% of California children ages 0-4, 6% of children ages 5-17, and 15% of young adults ages 18-24 were born outside the U.S. Since 2007, the percentage of foreign-born children ages 0-4 statewide has remained relatively stable while the share of foreign-born Californians ages 5-24 has declined.

Children of immigrants are more likely to face poverty and barriers to health care and safety net services compared with children of native-born parents (1, 2). California has been a leader in supportive immigrant policies in recent years, with major legislation passed in 2013 and 2017 aimed at supporting better outcomes for children of immigrants, reducing health disparities, and helping foreign-born Californians participate in and contribute to society (3, 4). California also offers some benefits to undocumented and documented immigrants that would not be available under federal law, such as Medi-Cal for undocumented children (4, 5). However, enforcement of federal immigration regulations can have negative effects on children; e.g., the deportation of a parent or caregiver can cause psychological trauma, housing instability, and financial problems, which may have long-term adverse consequences for children’s health and development (6, 7).

While California has made many strides, much more work is needed, especially given the lack of an effective national immigration system and the uncertain future of federal immigration policy (4, 8). Leaders must continue working toward improved systems that prioritize the well being of vulnerable children, while also preserving the limited support currently available to immigrant families (4, 8, 9). In addition, future policy directions should take into account the contributions of immigrants, including their significant role in meeting current and future workforce needs and positive impact on long-term economic growth (1, 10, 11).

Policy options that could influence the well being of immigrant children and families include:

• Promoting federal policy changes that include efficient pathways to citizenship and other legal statutes that promote family unity; these may include providing basic support and child welfare services to immigrant children and families (7, 8, 9)
• Maintaining and effectively implementing California’s pro-immigrant policies, as state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement increases economic hardship among low-income children with foreign-born parents, with no benefit to children of native-born parents (3, 4, 6)
• Supporting efforts to create a coordinated system for immigrant families that facilitates consistent access to medical homes with linguistically and culturally appropriate care, along with quality education, child care, interpretation, and legal services (8, 9)
• Addressing the needs of dual-language learners in early childhood programs and English Learners in public schools through evidence-based resources and practices that engage families and take into account sociocultural influences on language learning (12)