Critical Immigration, Health, and Education Policies Affecting Young Children of Immigrants

The Migration Policy Institute (MPI)’s National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy convened a major public policy research symposium focused on young children of immigrants in the United States. While policies that crucially influence the development of young children (birth through age 10) of immigrants are typically examined through a specific policy lens, the conference lay uniquely at the intersection of not just early education and health but immigration policy.

The event featured some of the nation’s leading scholars on issues affecting children of immigrants, as well as key members of the Obama administration who work in each of the policy areas – all of which are critical to the prospects of immigrants’ children. The day's discussions examined these policies and explored the prospects for policy change during the next four years. Six draft papers that synthesize the best, most current research evidence and set out key directions for possible reform were distributed to attendees.

The symposium, which was supported by the Foundation for Child Development (FCD), was held on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of FCD’s Young Scholars Program – a landmark program in the encouragement and support of scholarly research on young children of immigrants.

For more information, visit migrationpolicy.org/integration.