Pew Hispanic Center study : 3 in 5 ` ` illegal '' immigrant children are US citizens . The study also found that these children are more likely to live in a two-parent home , compared with the rest of the nation . ` 80 percent of illegal immigrant children live in two - parent homes , study finds . One - third of children of illegal immigrants in U.S. live in poverty , study finds . ` ` It 's really , really hard to leave your family , '' says one child separated from mom .
Pew Hispanic Center study : 3 in 5 ` ` illegal '' immigrant children are US citizens . 80 percent of illegal immigrant children live in two - parent homes , study finds . One - third of children of illegal immigrants in U.S. live in poverty , study finds . ` ` It 's really , really hard to leave your family , '' says one child separated from mom .