Advocates Convene in Support of Recent Executive Orders on Immigration
Texas advocates applaud federal efforts to stabilize families and empower economic prosperity for undocumented spouses and Dreamers.
Media Contact: Rashena Flagg, 713.301.4577
CHILDREN AT RISK convened with other advocates to celebrate the new federal, child-forward, executive orders on immigration while exploring the impact on Texas children and the state’s economy on June 28, 2024. Over 10% of all Texas children live in a mixed-status household, representing 22-51% of all families within Texas’ major metro areas.
On June 18, the Federal Administration released new orders centered on Parole in Place and revised guidance on the DACA D-3 Waiver Program, potentially restabilizing 304,4016 Texas families and bolstering economic mobility for over 66,368 non-citizen spouses of Texas citizens, who on average, have resided in the United States for 24 years.
Over half of this population (52%) care for at least one child in their household under the age of 18.These executive orders will foster economic well-being, promote healthy development, and boost academic performance by mitigating exposure to traumatic events during children’s key developmental stages. Most public-school educators (84%) have interacted with students who’ve expressed concern over immigration enforcement and 70% have seen a tangible decline in academic performance.
Across Texas, mixed-status families represent the following percentages in major metro areas:
- 86% in Austin
- 39% in Dallas
- 21% in El Paso
- 90% in the Houston
- 55% in Rio Grande Valley
- 51% in San Antonio
These executive orders will foster economic well-being, promote healthy development, and boost academic performance by mitigating exposure to traumatic events during children’s key developmental stages. Most public-school educators (84%) have interacted with students who’ve expressed concern over immigration enforcement and 70% have seen a tangible decline in academic performance.
“This change represents a significant step forward to impede harm, keep families together, and inspire hope for so many children in our state,” said Linda Corchado, Senior Director of Immigration at CHILDREN AT RISK.
Press Conference Participants included Dr. Bob Sanborn, CHILDREN AT RISK, Linda Corchado, CHILDREN AT RISK, Juan Carlos Cerda, American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC), Chiqui Sanchez Kennedy, Galveston-Houston Immigration Representation Project (GHIRP), Xavier Medellin, American Families United, Stephanie Medellin, American Families United, Diana Del Pilar, CHILDREN AT RISK
“We rejoice in this win for Texas families. When parents face deportation, long-standing research shows that children endure toxic stress that could have the devastating impact of altering their brain development. There is no doubt that our outdated immigration laws are having real, negative impacts on children in school and in their daily lives.”
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Our vision is for the state of Texas to offer a welcoming environment for immigrants and refugees where immigrant children can easily integrate and access the resources they need to learn, thrive, and succeed. While the diversity of the immigrant community enriches our state, it also adds complexity to the strategies needed to address their varied needs.
