The foreign-born population of the US numbered 31.1 million in 2000, which amounts to 11.1% of the total population, an increase of 57% over 1990. According to the 2000 Census, 1 of every 5 children in the United States is a child of immigrants--that is, either a child who is an immigrant or who has at least one immigrant parent. Official poverty rates for children in immigrant families are substantially higher than for children in native-born families (21% versus 14%). Nearly half have incomes below 200% of the poverty level, compared with 34% of native children. One young person in 10 suffers from mental illness severe enough to cause some level of impairment in their lives, yet nearly 75% of them do not get the care they need. In the mental health care setting, culture affects how people label and communicate distress, explain the causes of mental health problems, perceive mental health providers, and respond to treatment. This paper offers suggestions on how mental health providers can build cultural competence. (Contains 1 figure.)