HIDDEN FROM SIGHT THE REALITIES OF GROWING UP IN AMERICA IN AN UNDOCUMENTED FAMILY

 AS OF 2011, THERE ARE AN ESTIMATED 11.9 MILLION UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS RESIDING IN THE US (PEW FOUNDATION)  APPROXIMATELY 1.8 MILLION ARE CHILDREN THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM

 They face constant risk of deportation and separation from family members  They cannot legally work in the US and many thus seek documentation fraudulently  Ironically, this enables them to pay taxes and into social security, from which they won’t benefit PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED BY UNDOCUMENTED PERSONS

 They tend to live in overcrowded dwellings that may be unsafe  Many are victimized by “coyotes” who maltreat and exploit them during border crossings  The majority are impoverished with limited education and job skills PROBLEMS (CON’T)

 6 out of 10 undocumented individuals lack health insurance vs. 25% of legal immigrants and 14% of US born  They tend to work in traditionally difficult/dangerous occupations and suffer disproportionately high rates of injuries and disease HEALTH ISSUES

 Undocumented persons are especially vulnerable to depression and anxiety for several reasons:  Failure to succeed in country of origin  Restricted mobility  Limited financial resources  Marginalization, isolation  Fear/stress of deportation EMOTIONAL RISKS

Live with the fear of their parents’ deportation Suffer greater than average rates of parental substance abuse, domestic abuse, violence and sexual abuse than US-born children Because English is their second language, educational success is more elusive Undocumented Minors

 Despite obstacles, every year 65% graduate from US public high schools  However, only 5% go on to attend college, lacking access to federal aid or in-state tuition Minors (con’t.)

 Several efforts since 2001 to pass The DREAM Act, the Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act, have failed  This act would provide a path to citizenship for undocumented minors who meet specific residency length requirements by allowing them to join the military or receive a college education THE DREAM ACT

 In 2012 PRESIDENT OBAMA ANNOUNCED A TWO- YEAR DEFERRAL FROM DEPORTATION AND ABILITY TO APPLY FOR WORK PERMITS FOR:  PERSONS YOUNGER THAN 30  WHO ENTERED THE US PRIOR TO AGE 16  POSED NO CRIMINAL OR SECURITY THREAT  WERE SUCCESSFUL ACADEMICALLY OR HAD SERVED IN THE MILITARY PRESIDENTIAL STOPGAP MEASURE