Convivir Colorado: My Mixed Immigration Status Reflections

This story product comes from CEC awardee Convivir Colorado. Convivir is dedicated to supporting the positive mental health development of immigrant youth in Colorado.

Many immigrants come to the United States in search of economic stability, without realizing that 11% of the foreign-born population in the state of Colorado lives below the poverty level (Migration Policy Institute, 2019). Our youth experience this lack of income stability in various ways, especially when they are part of mixed immigration status families. In fact, 10% of all K-12 students in Colorado live with at least one undocumented parent.

The conditions of even one family member not having full access to resources and opportunities impact young people, even when they are themselves United States citizens. In the following story, a young person in Denver County, who wishes to remain anonymous, shares such an impact on her physical and mental health.

Her story takes place in a county where 3% fewer adults self-report good health in comparison to the state average. And her story highlights the struggles that American citizens face when they belong to a mixed status family and as such don’t always access appropriate support to maintain good health.