Advocating for Education and Public Benefit Access for Immigrants at the State Level USCCB National Conference January 12, 2012

Children in the Budget: 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

Children in the Budget: Bills to improve or restrict access to higher education, Source: NILC OH IN

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

Children in the Budget: Bills improving and restricting access to K-12 education, Source: NILC IN OH

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

Children in the Budget: Bills impacting access to public benefits, 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 IN 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

Children in the Budget: For more information: Wendy Cervantes Vice President, Immigration and Child Rights Policy (202)