Children and youth living in immigrant families, and in families who have relocated from U.S. territories, represent the fastest growing group of children in America.^[i] To assess the policies and practices that can affect this population, it is important to understand how they are represented in Connecticut, and how they may resemble or differ from the foreign-born population nationally.^[ii],[iii] For example, in 2015, 25% of children with at least one foreign-born parent lived in households with incomes below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) nationally, compared to 19 of children in U.S.-born families. However, in Connecticut, only 14% of children with a foreign-born parent lived below the FPL.^[iv] Connecticut’s children in immigrant families were also more likely to live in two-parent homes and with householders who have at least a high school degree. It should be noted that children in Connecticut with at least one foreign-born parent are far more likely to be non-Hispanic white—and far less likely to be Hispanic—than in the nation overall. This is in part because 24% of Connecticut’s foreign born population were born in Europe, as compared to the almost 11% of foreign born residents originating from European countries nationwide.

Children and youth living in immigrant families, and in families who have relocated from U.S. territories, represent the fastest growing group of children in America.^[i] To assess the policies and practices that can affect this population, it is important to understand how they are represented in Connecticut, and how they may resemble or differ from the foreign-born population nationally.^[ii],[iii] For example, in 2015, 25% of children with at least one foreign-born parent lived in households with incomes below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) nationally, compared to 19 of children in U.S.-born families. However, in Connecticut, only 14% of children with a foreign-born parent lived below the FPL.^[iv] Connecticut’s children in immigrant families were also more likely to live in two-parent homes and with householders who have at least a high school degree. It should be noted that children in Connecticut with at least one foreign-born parent are far more likely to be non-Hispanic white—and far less likely to be Hispanic—than in the nation overall. This is in part because 24% of Connecticut’s foreign born population were born in Europe, as compared to the almost 11% of foreign born residents originating from European countries nationwide.