ABSTRACT

Currently, the demographic shift in the United States stems from the rapid increase in the influx of immigrants from around the world (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2001). In the year 2002, there were 32.5 million immigrants living in the United States. Of those, 52.5% were born in Latin America, 25.5% in Asia, and 14% in Europe and the remaining 8% were from other parts of the world. Due to recent immigration trends and differential birth rates, people of color compose over 30% of the U.S. population, approximately 45% of whom are attending public schools (Sue & Sue, 2003; U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000). According to A. Portes and Rumbaut (1996), immigrant children from a minority background constitute more than one half of the entire children immigrant population in the United States. Of these immigrant students, those who are of Asian and Hispanic descent make up the largest immigrant groups in the elementary and secondary schools (U.S. Department of Education, 1997). Vernez and Abrahamse (1996) also found that although immigrant children and youth were just as likely as nonimmigrants to enroll in U.S. primary and middle schools, they were less likely to attend high school. Because of this demographic shift, immigrant children and youth in schools now represent a major constituency within the public schools, and due to the challenges they face in school, this is an important focus for school counselors (U.S. Department of Home land Security, 2004).