Recently Arrived Immigrant Youth Navigating School and Work: Working Across Borders

• In Event: Relationality and Reflexivity in Cross-Cultural Research

Abstract

Due to an ongoing international migration crisis, the U.S. is experiencing a significant influx of immigrant children in its schools. Approximately half of these immigrants are children and adolescents of secondary school age. Many of these high school-aged newcomers have prior work experience from their home countries and actively seek employment upon arriving in the U.S. This qualitative research investigated how recently arrived immigrant youth balance work commitments with their high school education. Study challenges the traditional school-to-work transition model, suggesting it's inadequate for this subset of students who have normalized working alongside their studies from a young age. This study provides insights into the unique experiences and strategies of this growing demographic within the U.S. education system.

Author

• Amada Santiago, CUNY - John Jay College of Criminal Justice