“Transnational youth are at the forefront of the transformation of American society into a more diverse public, and lead the way in demonstrating how to be engaged citizens. Young migrants are already in possession of many of the skills that are critical for citizens in today’s political climate of division and distrust, including a mature sense of social trust, cultural flexibility, and curiosity about the variety of religions, cultural practices and beliefs represented in the world” (Keegan, 2017, p. 219).
“At a time when xenophobic, anti-immigrant rhetoric increasingly makes its way into news headlines and political speeches, it is all the more important that U.S. public schools function as places in which future generations of students can learn to trust one another and experience what it means to be part of a community working in pursuit of common goals” (Keegan, 2017, p. 219).