Defending and Supporting America’s Children in Immigrant Families
The Children Thrive Action Network (CTAN) is a network of advocates and service providers at the national, state, and local levels who work directly with or on behalf of children in immigrant families.
CTAN’s mission is to defend and support all children in the United States in mixed-status immigrant families, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, language, ability, income, or nationality.
CTAN envisions a society where all children have equal opportunity, including the resources and protections they need to grow and thrive; where diversity is embraced and celebrated; and where all children are valued and cared for regardless of where they or their parents were born.
Network partners seek to mitigate the harm of anti-immigrant and exclusionary policies and actions on children in mixed-status families in the short term, while advancing positive policy outcomes in the long term. We do this by creating fact sheets and resources; issuing statements; developing and distributing sign-on letters and comment templates; and keeping our network informed, coordinated, and connected to the immigration movement through working groups and newsletters.
Our approach is guided by a comprehensive focus on healthy child development: good nutrition; high-quality health care; emotional well-being; a safe living environment; high-quality care and education; economic security; and stable, nurturing caregivers.
Our network is guided by a coordinating committee, including:
- Martin Kim, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC
- Stephanie Ettinger de Cuba, Children’s HealthWatch
- Mayra Alvarez, The Children’s Partnership
- Wendy Cervantes, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP)
- Abuko Estrada, First Focus on Children
- Xochitl Oseguera, MomsRising
- Juan Rangel, National Education Association (NEA)
- Esther Reyes, Protecting Immigrant Families (PIF) Campaign
- Zully Rodriguez, United Parent Leaders Action Network (UPLAN)
- Mina Dixon Davis, Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights
The Children Thrive Action Network works with like-minded coalitions, such as the Protecting Immigrant Families (PIF) Campaign, to uplift each other’s work and collaborate when opportunities arise. With a specific focus on child well-being, the network advocates for a comprehensive set of policies that impact children of immigrants, including freedom from the fear of deportation and detention for their parents, education access, and other needs.
Our membership of over 100 active members and allies represents a wide variety of local, state, and national organizations. With representation in at least 30 states and expertise in a variety of policy areas—including immigration, education, children, health care, nutrition, housing, labor, and environmental justice—our membership strives to encompass the voices that can best represent and advocate for children living in immigrant families.
The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) co-founded CTAN in 2019 and plays a significant leadership role in the network.
