Sacramento, California - Every year approximately 8,000 undocumented youth are placed into the custody of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Many who enter the United States are without parents or legal guardians and live in urban, suburban, and rural communities. Undocumented youth who enter the U.S. face similar challenges as that of homeless youth with little to no access to shelter, supportive services, and income. 

Like homeless youth, undocumented youth are entitled to basic education rights under the federal McKinney-Vento act. McKinney-Vento liaisons assist undocumented youth in securing legal assistance and to provide language service programs that meet linguistic, cultural, and academic needs.