Topic Summary

Summary: Immigrants

All Indicators In This Topic
Children Living in Limited English-Speaking Households
Children Living with Foreign-Born Parents
Children Living with Foreign-Born Parents, by Income Level
Foreign-Born Population, by Age Group
Spotlight on Key Indicators: Immigrants
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Immigrants
Bullying and Harassment at School
Demographics
Family Income and Poverty
Student Demographics
School Climate
Math Proficiency
Reading Proficiency
Why This Topic Is Important
U.S. children of foreign-born parents represent a large and growing segment of the population (1). This group, comprised overwhelmingly of native-born citizens, accounted for a quarter of the nation's child population and nearly half of children in California in 2024 (1). California has the highest percentage of foreign-born residents in the country, the majority of whom are naturalized citizens or have other documented status (2).

Although immigrants are more likely to be employed than their U.S.-born counterparts, children with foreign-born parents are more likely than children of native-born parents to live in poverty (3, 4). Children in immigrant families also are more likely than other children to live in limited English-speaking households and to lack health insurance coverage and regular access to health care—factors associated with poorer health outcomes (4, 5). It is therefore important for 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.
For more information, see kidsdata.org’s Research & Links section.

Sources for this narrative:

1.  Urban Institute. (2026). Visualizing trends for children of immigrants. Retrieved from: https://apps.urban.org/features/children-of-immigrants

2.  Cuellar Mejia, M., & Johnson, H. (2026). Immigrants in California. Public Policy Institute of California. Retrieved from: https://www.ppic.org/publication/immigrants-in-california

3.  Batalova, J. (2026). Frequently requested statistics on immigrants and immigration in the United States. Migration Policy Institute. Retrieved from: https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/frequently-requested-statistics-immigrants-and-immigration-united-states

4.  National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2024). Launching lifelong health by improving health care for children, youth, and families. National Academies Press. Retrieved from: https://www.nationalacademies.org/projects/DBASSE-BCYF-21-07/publication/27835

5.  Linton, J. M., et al. (2025). Providing care for children in immigrant families. Pediatrics, 144(3), e20192077. Retrieved from: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/144/3/e20192077/38449/Providing-Care-for-Children-in-Immigrant-Families
How Children Are Faring
Close to half (45%) of California's children live with at least one foreign-born parent, compared with roughly a quarter (27%) of children nationwide, according to 2024 estimates. Among these children of foreign-born parents, statewide and nationally, around 2 in 5 live below 200% of the federal poverty threshold ($63,624 for a family of two adults and two children in 2024). Across local areas with data, Santa Clara County had the highest percentage of children living with foreign-born parents in 2024, at 64%, while the county group comprising Del Norte, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, and Siskiyou had the lowest, at 9%.

In 2024, 8% of California children lived in households in which no one age 14 or older spoke English very well, down from 15% in 2007. At the county level, estimates of children living in limited English-speaking households vary widely, from fewer than 1 in 150 children (El Dorado) to more than 1 in 7 (Santa Barbara) in 2024.

According to 2024 estimates, 3% of California children ages 0-4, 7% of children ages 5-17, and 13% of young adults ages 18-24 were born outside the U.S. Since 2007, the percentage of foreign-born children ages 0-4 has remained relatively stable while the share of foreign-born Californians ages 5-24 has declined.
Policy Implications
California is a leader in supportive immigrant policies, with major legislation passed in recent years aimed at supporting better outcomes for children of immigrants, reducing economic and health disparities, and helping foreign-born Californians participate in and contribute to society (1, 2). The state also offers benefits to immigrants that would not be available under federal law, such as Medi-Cal (California's Medicaid program) for low-income children irrespective of immigration status (3).

Enforcement of federal immigration regulations, however, can have serious negative effects on children in immigrant families, the vast majority of whom are U.S. citizens (3, 4). Children in families who are separated by deportation—or who live under fear of deportation—can experience psychological trauma, economic hardship, and disruptions in health care and education, with long-term adverse consequences for their health and development (3, 4).

While California has made many strides, much more work is needed, especially given recent federal actions to substantially increase immigration enforcement (2). Leaders must continue working toward improved systems that prioritize the well being of children while preserving the existing support available to immigrant families (3, 4, 5, 6). 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 (2, 3, 7).

Policy options that could influence the well being of immigrant children and families include:
  • Promoting federal policies that protect and support immigrant families and unaccompanied minors, prioritize keeping families together, and provide trauma-informed, whole-family supportive services and efficient pathways to citizenship (4, 8)
  • Preserving and strengthening California's pro-immigrant policies, recognizing that state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement can cause trauma and threaten the long-term health of children of immigrants (2, 3, 4, 7, 9)
  • Supporting efforts to create coordinated systems serving immigrant families that facilitate consistent access to linguistically and culturally appropriate health care, along with high-quality education, child care, mental health, and legal services with trained interpreters (4, 7, 8)
  • Expanding access to federal safety net programs among children in immigrant families, e.g., by reworking eligibility requirements that exclude immigrants from participation—one alternative could be eligibility based on the immigration status of a family's children instead of parents (5, 6, 8)
  • Closing gaps in California's safety net, particularly for families with mixed immigration status, and increasing participation among eligible families (2, 5, 9)
  • Investing in the financial security of undocumented immigrants, recognizing that such investments support positive outcomes for children and economic prosperity for California (2, 7)
  • Addressing the needs of dual-language learners in early childhood programs and English learners in public schools by increasing access to high-quality programming, resources, and evidence-based practices that engage families and recognize sociocultural influences on language learning (10, 11)
For more information on this topic, see kidsdata.org’s Research & Links section or visit Urban Institute and California Immigrant Policy Center. Also see Policy Implications under Student Demographics on kidsdata.org.

Sources for this narrative:

1.  Saucedo, M., & Ramos-Yamamoto, A. (2024). California sees health gains for undocumented residents after Medi-Cal expansion. California Budget and Policy Center. Retrieved from: https://calbudgetcenter.org/resources/california-sees-health-gains-for-undocumented-residents-after-medi-cal-expansion

2.  Feldstein, S. (2022). Supporting the economic security of undocumented immigrants. Asset Funders Network & California Immigrant Policy Center. Retrieved from: https://assetfunders.org/resource/supporting-the-economic-security-of-undocumented-immigrants

3.  Pillai, D., et al. (2026). Children in immigrant families: Key facts on health coverage and care. KFF. Retrieved from: https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/children-of-immigrants-key-facts-on-health-coverage-and-care

4.  Linton, J. M., et al. (2025). Providing care for children in immigrant families. Pediatrics, 144(3), e20192077. Retrieved from: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/144/3/e20192077/38449/Providing-Care-for-Children-in-Immigrant-Families

5.  National Immigration Law Center. (2026). Major benefit programs available to immigrants in California. Retrieved from: https://www.nilc.org/resources/programs-available-to-immigrants-in-calif

6.  Acevedo-Garcia, D., et al. (2021). Restoring an inclusionary safety net for children in immigrant families: A review of three social policies. Health Affairs, 40(7), 1099-1107. Retrieved from: https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2021.00206

7.  Immigrants Rising. (2026). A California blueprint for immigrant socioeconomic prosperity. Retrieved from: https://immigrantsrising.org/ca-blueprint-2026

8.  National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2021). Promoting the health and well-being of children in immigrant families: Proceedings of a workshop–in brief. National Academies Press. Retrieved from: https://www.nationalacademies.org/units/IOM-BCYF-12-04/publication/26263

9.  California Budget and Policy Center. (2026). Building an affordable California requires public investment. Retrieved from: https://calbudgetcenter.org/resources/building-an-affordable-california-requires-public-investment

10.  Park, M., et al. (2022). Overlooked but essential: Language access in early childhood programs. Migration Policy Institute. Retrieved from: https://www.migrationpolicy.org/research/language-access-early-childhood

11.  Kim, V., et al. (2026). Paving the way for secondary bilingual education programs: An analysis of policy and practice. Migration Policy Institute. Retrieved from: https://www.migrationpolicy.org/publication/secondary-bilingual-education
Websites with Related Information
Key Reports and Research
County/Regional Reports
More Data Sources For Immigrants