what’s at stake for children and families?
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Advocating for Education and Public Benefit Access for Immigrants at the State Level USCCB National Conference January 12, 2012. What’s at stake for children and families?. Approximately 1 million unauthorized children growing up in the U.S. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Advocating for Education and Public Benefit Access for Immigrants at the State Level
USCCB National ConferenceJanuary 12, 2012
Children in the Budget:
www.firstfocus.net
What’s at stake for children and families?
• Approximately 1 million unauthorized children growing up in the U.S.
• Children of immigrants now comprise nearly 1 in 4 of the U.S. child population
• Children of immigrants account for 30% of all U.S. children living in low-income families
• 5.5 million children live in mixed-status families, and the majority are U.S. citizens
Children in the Budget:State bills impacting access to higher education 2011
Bills improving access:• Tuition equity/in-state tuition bills (introduced in 12 states,
enacted in 3)• Scholarships and financial aid for undocumented students
(enacted in 4 states)• Current states with tuition equity policies: CA, CT, IL, KS, MD,
NE, NM, NY, OK, RI, TX, UT, WA
Bills restricting access:• Bills to repeal tuition equity bills or ban in-state tuition
(introduced in 13 states, enacted in 2)• Referendums to repeal tuition equity bills or ban enrollment
(MD & MT)• Bills banning undocumented students from enrolling in higher
education (introduced in 7 states, enacted in 1)• Current states which ban in-state tuition: AZ, CO, GA, & IN
www.firstfocus.net
Children in the Budget:Bills to improve or restrict access to higher education, 2011
www.firstfocus.net
Source: NILC
OHIN
Children in the Budget:State bills impacting access to K-12 education
• Bills introduced restricting access to K-12 education (8 states, including AL, AZ, GA, MD, OK, TN, TX, VA)
• Bills improving access to K-12 education (CA & NJ)
• U.S. Dept. of Education issued Plyler v. Doe guidance in May of 2011
www.firstfocus.net
Children in the Budget:Bills improving and restricting access to K-12 education, 2011
www.firstfocus.net
Source: NILC
INOH
Children in the Budget:Bills impacting access to public benefits, 2011
• Specific public benefit bills enacted in 11 states• Bills in 3 states extend benefits to certain
categories of immigrants and refugees• Omnibus bills restricting access to public
benefits enacted in 5 states• Bills in 11 states restrict access to unauthorized
immigrants:- banning public benefits to unlawfully present immigrants- eligibility and verification requirements
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Children in the Budget:Bills impacting access to public benefits, 2011
www.firstfocus.net
Bills extending access to benefits
Bills restricting access to benefits
Bills restricting & extending benefits
Bills Impacting Access to Public Benefits, 2011
Legend
Bills restricting public benefits through omnibus bills
NE
CA
MT
UT
MI
ININ
PA
VA
AL
SC
GA
IA
Children in the Budget:Looking ahead to 2012
• State budgets very tight going into 2012• More states moving to on-line enrollment
and eligibility verification systems• Offensive and defensive strategy will be
needed, bills expected on both sides• Media strategy, strategic messaging,
identifying champions, and building diverse coalitions are key
www.firstfocus.net
Children in the Budget:
For more information:Wendy Cervantes
Vice President, Immigration and Child Rights Policy(202) 657-0637
www.firstfocus.net