Immigrant Child Health

Immigrant Child Health Overview  

Definitions and Demographics 

Children in immigrant families (CIF) are defined as children who are either foreign-born or have at least 1 parent who is foreign-born. Immigrant children are those born outside the United States to non-US citizen parents. One in every 4 children in the United States are CIF, representing a growing and ever more diverse US demographic that pediatric medical providers nationwide will increasingly encounter in clinical care. Immigrant children and CIF reside in all 50 states.

Access to Health Care and Health Status

• CIF are less likely to have a usual source of medical care and to obtain specialty care when needed.
• CIF who are foreign-born may not have received adequate screenings or immunizations in their home country.

Socioeconomic Factors 

• CIF can face barriers to accessing programs and benefits that support low-income children.
• Many CIF have less access to quality early education programs and are less likely to be enrolled in preschool programs, such as Head Start.

Unique Stressors/Family Separation 

• Many CIF live in a family with a parent who faces the threat of deportation without notice or preparation.
• Children whose parents have been taken into custody/deported may demonstrate a number of health problems including anxiety, depression, poor school performance, sleeping and eating disruptions.
• Forced separations due to immigration enforcement can also result in the loss of family income and have been shown to result in family housing and food instability.
• Children who have crossed the border to enter the United States as well as children who are refugees may have experienced abuse, exploitation, and/ serious trauma.