Better Responses to Differing Immigration Statuses: Spreading and Adapting 2Gen Working Practices
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Highlights
Two-generation (2Gen) service providers working with mixed-status families must train staff on eligibility, protect client data, and build partnerships to provide wraparound supports.
- With the nation’s nearly 45 million immigrants holding a wide range of statuses, fear and confusion around eligibility for public services—intensified by the 2019 public charge rule—keep many families from benefits for which they qualify.
- Two key strategies emerged: educating staff, clients, and communities about how immigration status affects eligibility, and building partnerships to provide wraparound services for mixed-status families.
- MPI estimates at least 14.4 million people in mixed-status families were excluded from initial 2020 COVID-19 stimulus payments, underscoring the need for dedicated emergency planning for immigrant families.
What does it take to deliver services to families, youth, and children whose variety of immigrant statuses may dictate different access to benefits, and to make sure all family members are supported? This brief explores two-generation (2Gen) practices—interventions that work with both parents and children—that aim to effectively serve immigrants with a range of statuses. Drawing on survey results, interviews, webinars, and peer advising and learning convenings, two strategies stand out: take time to educate staff, clients, and community members about how different immigration statuses can affect eligibility for supports and the design of services, and build partnerships that can provide a continuum of services for mixed-status families.
This brief is part of a set of four by the Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group, Migration Policy Institute, and Higher Heights Consulting that explore 2Gen working practices that serve immigrant and refugee families. The others look at approaches to building trust between service providers and families, overcoming language barriers, and developing cultural competencies.
Table of Contents
Why 2Gen and Immigrant Families?
Defining Immigration Statuses
The Working with Immigrant Families Regardless of Legal Status Webinar
Working Practice 1: Take Time to Educate Staff, Clients, and Community Members about the Intersection between Immigration Status and Benefits Eligibility
Immigration Status and COVID-19 Response
Working Practice 2: Build Partnerships to Provide a Continuum of Services for Mixed-Status Families
Policy Implications
Conclusion
About the National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy
The Center is a national hub connecting policymakers, educators, community leaders, and service providers with evidence-informed policy research, technical assistance, and data to advance effective immigrant integration at U.S., state, and local levels.
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