How Can W e H elp the Children of Undocumented Mexican Immigrants ?

1. How Can We Help the Children of Undocumented Mexican Immigrants? Welcome Representative Farr and Professor Oehlman By Courtney Hoyland

2. Something needs to be done The children of undocumented Mexican immigrants are being harmed physically, financially, and mentally by current immigration policy. Legislation needs to be written that will protect and support the undocumented and citizen children of undocumented Mexican immigrants.

3. We lock undocumented immigrants in an immigration status that is almost impossible to change. • We guarantee citizenship to their children who are born here. • We give a free K-12 education to their children whether or not they have a legal immigration status, but deny a right to work to those who are undocumented. Current Policy

4. As you may recall… • Children of undocumented Mexican immigrants will have fewer options for postsecondary education and will face future financial limitations as adults. For all children, “living in poverty increases the risk of negative outcomes, including health and developmental problems, poor academic performance, low completed education, and low earning in adulthood” (Landale et al., 2011, p. 51). • Young children of undocumented Mexican immigrants face “lower levels of early language and cognitive skills” because of the stress and anxiety exuded from their parents (Yoshikawa, 2011, p. 55). • The stresses and fears that accompany unauthorized immigration “have been shown to impact the family structure of Mexican-American families. Parents have less time to spend with children, which in turn has been shown to result in increased loneliness, isolation, and risk-taking behavior among children” (Androff et al, 2011, p. 84).

5. Why is this our problem? Image: http://blog.latinovations.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/DREAM-Act2.jpg Largest portion of undocumented immigrants come from Mexico with 1 in 3 children of Mexican immigrants being undocumented or having undocumented parents (Landale, Thomas, & Van Hook, 2011, p. 44). 55% of the populations of Monterey and San Benito Counties are of Hispanic or Latino origin (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012). Approximately 10% of the population in these counties is undocumented (Johnson and Hill, 2011).

6. What can we do? The California DREAM Act addresses some of these issues, but does not go far enough. Parental immigration status and financial situation need to change to promote improved outcomes for their children

7. I ask you now to.. Consider using the Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act of 2005 as an example to begin considering drafting and fighting for a piece of legislation that will offer an opportunity for undocumented immigrants to right their wrongs, and work toward gaining a legal immigration status. (LeMay, 2007, p. 64)

8. References Androff, D. , Ayón, C. , Becerra, D. , Gurrola, M. , Salas, L. , Krysik, J., . . . Segal, E. (2011). U.s. immigration policy and immigrant children's well-being: The impact of policy shifts. Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare, 38(1), 77-98. Johnson and Hill, H. (2011). At issue public policy institute of california. Retrieved from http://www.ppic.org/content/pubs/atissue/AI_711HJAI.pdf Landale, N. , Thomas, K. , & Van Hook, J. (2011). The living arrangements of children of immigrants. Future of Children, 21(1), 43-70. LeMay, M. (2007). Illegal immigration: a reference handbook. Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-CLIO. U.S. Census Bureau (2012, April). State and County Quickfacts. Retrieved April 28, 2012, from http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06/06053.html Yoshikawa, H. (2011). Immigrants raising citizens: Undocumented parents and their young children. New York: Russell Sage Foundation.