Following up on a 2014 report of the same name, this report (Race for Results) describes the disproportionate barriers facing children of immigrant families and it recommends strategies that policy, community and civic leaders can use to guide their decisions so that all our children have a fair chance to thrive. The report, and indeed the work of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, is designed to inform the important decisions of US national, state and local leaders, which is why this report highlights key information regarding the children of immigrants.
It is the belief of the organization that it is particularly important to provide this perspective at a time when the country is grappling with how to reform and enforce its immigration laws and protect its borders. There is a need to vigorously debate the options, but it is possible to avoid the harm caused by equating immigrant children and families with those who threaten the country's security.
These are certainly complex and critical issues, but the country must identify solutions that protect the interests of our children who are essential to positioning the nation for a prosperous future. Wanting the best for kids is not a partisan issue. For nearly three decades, the Annie E. Casey Foundation has focused on identifying and highlighting what is needed to help all children have a brighter future. In the 2014 Race for Results report, the foundation recommended solutions that would lead to better policy decisions on behalf of all children of color. Now, this report turns to understanding the unique challenges and targeted strategies to help children in immigrant families have the stability, economic resources and opportunities they will need to thrive.
One of the key recommendations in the report is to ensure that families stay together and can stay in their communities, including for those children whose parents are undocumented.
