On kidsdata.org, measures related to foreign-born and limited English-speaking 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 one- and five-year estimates for the nation, state, and counties and/or county groups, and as five-year estimates for cities, school districts, and legislative districts.

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 2023 (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 (1, 3). Children in immigrant families also are more likely than other children to have parents with low educational attainment, 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 (1, 3, 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.

Close to half (46%) of California's children live with at least one foreign-born parent, compared with roughly a quarter (26%) of children nationwide, according to 2021 estimates. Among these children of foreign-born parents, statewide and nationally, more than 40% live below 200% of the federal poverty threshold. Across counties with data in 2016-2020, Santa Clara had the highest percentage of children living with foreign-born parents, at 64%, while Plumas had the lowest, at 5%.

In 2022, 7% 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 across regions with data, from less than 1% (Nevada) to more than 15% (Kings; Monterey; Tulare) in 2016-2020.

According to 2021 estimates, 2% of California children ages 0-4, 5% of children ages 5-17, and 12% 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.

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 residents irrespective of immigration status (1, 2).

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, 5, 6).

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 (2). Leaders must continue working toward improved systems that prioritize the well being of vulnerable children while preserving the existing support available to immigrant families (2, 5, 7). 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, 9).

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 (5, 8)
• Maintaining and effectively implementing California's pro-immigrant policies, as state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement can cause trauma and threaten the long-term health of children of immigrants (3, 5, 6)
• 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 (5, 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 (1, 7, 8)
• Closing gaps in California's safety net for families with mixed immigration status, and increasing participation among eligible families (1, 2)
• Investing in the financial security of undocumented immigrants, recognizing that such investments support positive outcomes for children and economic prosperity for California (2)
• 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)