This literature review discusses the growing and diverse population of first and second generation immigrants in the United States. The immigrant population has grown exponentially over the years and is assumed to continue on this trajectory. A rapidly growing subgroup of immigrants is students identified as English Language Learners in the K-12 school system. With this growth, so grows the barriers these students and their parents face while trying to navigate American school systems, as well as a new community. Some of these obstacles include, but are not limited to, academic, cultural, financial, communication and social barriers. It is imperative that educators and stakeholders are aware of these issues. The implications of these barriers for school counselors are also addressed; school counselors, though, can support immigrant English language learners socially, emotionally and academically. Systemic interventions at the national, state and local levels are recognized
