Presents a wide range of statistics reflecting cultural, family, social, economic, and housing circumstances across various racial and ethnic groups living in the United States, with an emphasis on children of immigrant families. Children in the U.S. are much more likely to be members of ethnic or racial minority groups than was the case a half-century ago, and children in immigrant families are much more likely than those in native-born families to be living in poverty. The statistics reveal 4 critical risk factors that can have significant effects on children’s outcomes: having a mother who has not graduated from high school; living in economic deprivation; living in a linguistically isolated household; and living in a one-parent household. Moreover, children of immigrant families are twice as likely as children of native-born families to experience at least 2 of the 4 risk factors and the potential for negative outcomes. Policymakers and service providers throughout the nation need to develop, implement, and ensure access to education, health, and service programs that meet the needs of these vulnerable but rapidly growing child populations.
