The number of immigrants and refugees settling in the United States has increased dramatically in recent decades as has their dispersion to numerous states that have not traditionally been a destination for immigrants. The overwhelming majority of children in immigrant families (88 percent in 2014) are U.S. born.
Children and youth living in immigrant families are the fastest growing group of American children. As of 2014, Mexico was the country of origin for the largest share of immigrant children living in the U.S.; 40 percent of children in immigrant families had at least one parent who was Mexican-born. Immigrant children face a number of risks in them life. For example,15 percent of children in immigrant families are not covered by health insurance, compared to 8 percent of children with U.S.-born parents.