By JC Montenegro, PhD

(Los Angeles, California) – In conversations about migration, the focus often rests on the parents, their sacrifices, challenges, and determination to start anew. Yet, there is another story that unfolds quietly in classrooms, playgrounds, and after-school programs across the globe: the story of the children of immigrants.

These children are born in the country that welcomed their parents, yet their sense of belonging is often anything but simple. They live between two worlds, carrying the culture, language, and traditions of their parents while navigating the social and linguistic realities of their birthplace. For many, this duality is both a gift and a heavy burden.

From an early age, they face the unique challenge of learning the dominant language of their country, English in the United States, or any other language depending on the country, while speaking their parents’ native language at home. In the classroom, they often work twice as hard to catch up. Yet, when they return home, their parents may not be able to help with homework due to language barriers or unfamiliarity with the education system. This gap can leave children feeling isolated, misunderstood, and unsupported in their academic journey.

Here, after-school programs emerge not as luxuries but as lifelines. They offer academic guidance, language support, and safe spaces where children can develop confidence and skills. More than that, these programs foster community, giving immigrant children the encouragement and mentorship they might not find elsewhere.

This mission resonates deeply with the spirit of Don Bosco and the Salesian family. Don Bosco believed in creating not just schools, but a “home” where every young person, especially those most in need, could feel valued, understood, and loved. For the children of immigrants, such a home is not only physical but emotional and spiritual: a place where their identity is affirmed, their talents are nurtured, and they know they truly belong.

The Salesian calling reminds us that welcoming these young people goes beyond providing lessons; it is about offering a community where they can grow into their full potential, free from the fear of rejection or misunderstanding.

The story of immigrant children does not end with struggle. For many, the very experiences that once left them feeling torn between cultures become the foundation of a remarkable strength. Once they overcome the crisis of identity, they are uniquely positioned to become bridge-builders, connecting two languages, two sets of traditions, and two ways of seeing the world. They embody the possibility of cultural harmony, using their bicultural experience to foster understanding in increasingly diverse societies.

The children of immigrants remind us that integration is not only about adults finding their place; it is about raising a generation that can thrive, contribute, and unite communities. By recognizing their unique challenges and offering them a “home” in the Salesian spirit, we are not only supporting individual children but also shaping a future where cultural bridges replace cultural divides.

This is their truth, not confined to one city or one country, but shared by millions across the globe. And it is a truth worth telling.

Photo Credit: “Going to march for immigrant families” by Fibonacci Blue is licensed under CC BY 2.0.