Children of Immigrants

Children of immigrants are affected every day by policy choices on immigration, education, health care, and a range of other issues. And because one-fourth of children in America today are children of immigrants, those choices shape America’s future. The First Focus Center for the Children of Immigrants challenges policymakers to ensure that all children and families, regardless of immigration status, have the opportunity to live the American Dream.

Resources


Statement: New refugee protection legislation advances child safety

| December 22, 2022 |

Bill offers “workable, affirmative vision,” advocate says In response to today’s introduction of the Refugee Protection Act, First Focus Campaign for Children President Bruce Lesley made the following statement:


Statement: Fear no longer an obstacle to benefits for children of immigrants

| September 9, 2022 |

In response to the Biden Administration’s release of a final rule on public charge, First Focus Campaign for Children President Bruce Lesley made the following statement: “We


Statement: Migrant children will be safer under proposed measure

| July 13, 2022 |

In response to today’s introduction of the Children’s Safe Welcome Act, Bruce Lesley, President of First Focus Campaign for Children, released the following statement: “For too long,


Letter: Gov. DeSantis, protect unaccompanied children and withdraw your Executive Order and emergency rule

| December 20, 2021 |

First Focus Campaign for Children sent this letter signed by 73 child welfare organizations to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urging him to safeguard the


Five-year waiting period hurts children, women

| September 10, 2021 |

Today’s introduction of the Lifting Immigrant Families Through Benefits Access Restoration Act of 2021 (LIFT the BAR Act) would level the playing field for thousands of


Fact Sheet: LIFT the BAR Act

| September 9, 2021 |

Children of immigrants and immigrant children make up one-quarter of all U.S. kids and represent the fastest-growing group of children in America. Despite this,


Statement: HEAL for Immigrant Families Act expands health care access for immigrants

| May 13, 2021 |

Bruce Lesley, president of First Focus Campaign for Children, made the following statement in response to the introduction of “The Health Equity and Access under


Fact Sheet: How the U.S. Citizenship Act Impacts Children

| March 19, 2021 |

The U.S. Citizenship Act was introduced in February 2021 by Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Representative Linda Sanchez (D-CA). Immigration policies have a direct


More than 500,000 children would benefit from House immigration bills

| March 18, 2021 |

Immigration bills would spare families “toxic fear” of separation Today, the House of Representatives passed the American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 (H.R.


Victory for immigrant youth in Dream and Promise Act

| March 5, 2021 |

Advocates welcome expanded provisions, disappointed by juvenile justice exclusions In response to the introduction of the Dream and Promise Act, Bruce Lesley, President of First