Understanding Immigrant Eligibility for Child Care and Early Education Programs

This updated resource is more essential than ever, as children disappear from classrooms and early education programs and all families, especially immigrant families, too often encounter mountains of red tape just to access important benefits like child care.

June 22, 2026 | Report/Brief | Lorena Roque

CLASP Opposes Proposed Joint Employer Rule 2026

June 17, 2026 | Fact Sheet | Mikayla Slaydon

Immigrant Eligibility for Federal Child Care and Early Education Programs (Updated June 2026)

May 28, 2026 | Fact Sheet | Suma Setty

Suma Setty Presents on Impacts of Immigration Policies on Children

Children in immigrant families make up one-quarter of all children in the United States and represent the fastest-growing segment of the country’s increasingly diverse child population. Yet immigrant children and families are more likely to be low income and face systemic barriers to health and nutrition supports. Harsh immigration enforcement policies also threaten the safety and well-being of the millions of children in mixed-status families. CLASP advocates for federal and state policy reforms to promote health, economic security, and overall success for immigrant children, youth, and families.

Featured Expert:

Wendy Cervantes

Director, Immigration and Immigrant Families

Immigrant Children and Families

New from CLASP

June 17, 2026 | Blog Post | Child Care and Early Education

Understanding Immigrant Eligibility for Child Care and Early Education Programs

May 21, 2026 | News Clip | Children, Youth, & Families

As Trump Backs Off Crackdown, New Deportation Tactic Unnerves Kids and Families

May 20, 2026 | News Clip | Children, Youth, & Families

Ruptured Families: The U.s. Citizen Children Left Behind By Deportations

May 19, 2026 | News Clip | Children, Youth, & Families

When Immigrant Caregivers Disappear

April 06, 2026 | Press Release | Child Care and Early Education

Trump’s Budget Proposal Endangers Families, People Pushed to the Margins

Increasing Enrollment, Improving Outcomes

Our Advancing Strategies to Align Programs (ASAP) project helps state-level advocates increase enrollment in work support programs, including Medicaid and SNAP, through more integrated systems. There is strong evidence that work supports improve people’s immediate and long-term health as well as their educational and economic outcomes. Research also shows that receiving the full package of benefits—not just one program—is especially effective.

ASAP Project Overview