The well-being of children in immigrant families, who account for more than one quarter of the U.S. child population, is currently threatened by exclusionary policies that weaken economic, health, and social safety nets. And while the federal administration and some states are restricting access and making it risky for immigrant families to claim tax credits, community-based advocates and an emerging policy window in Massachusetts offer an opportunity to advance a tax credit system that is ready and accessible for immigrant families. With this grant, The Institute for Equity in Child Opportunity & Healthy Development (IECOHD) at the Boston University School of Social Work, and the Center on Poverty and Social Policy (CPSP) at the Columbia University School of Social Work are partnering with Children’s HealthWatch to review and collate evidence to inform efforts to expand the inclusion of children in immigrant families in state-level tax credits. The evidence review will evaluate three key themes: 1) effectiveness of tax credits on improving child outcomes and positive effects of including children in immigrant families, 2) state-level support for inclusive tax credits, and 3) outreach and administrative systems to facilitate claiming tax credits. HealthWatch will lead the development and deployment of an evidence-based advocacy strategy to build support for the expansion of the Massachusetts Earned Income Tax Credit and Child and Family Tax Credit. Key strategies include testifying, creating accessible one-pagers about the impact of tax credit expansions on immigrant children and families, cultivating legislative champions, and holding educational meetings.
The Institute for Equity in Child Opportunity & Healthy Development (IECOHD), the Center for Poverty and Social Policy, and Children’s Health Watch seek to leverage a policy window to extend public benefit eligibility requirements to immigrant families.
