Mexican authorities recently discovered more than 100 unaccompanied minors from Guatemala in a truck trailer, who were travelling without family in search of a better life in the US. The children, many of whom were teenage boys with only primary school education, were flown back to Guatemala City on Wednesday. The flight carried 106 youths aged between 12 and 17, marking one of the largest recent returns of unaccompanied minors to the Central American country. Guatemala had already received 430 unaccompanied minors from Mexico and the US between January and March before the latest group was discovered.
According to US data about unsanctioned crossings at the country’s southern border, most unaccompanied minors who reach the US from Central America come from Guatemala. Many are often fleeing deep poverty. Speaking outside a Guatemala City migration office, Rony Saquil said his 17-year-old brother, Oscar, was frustrated by the lack of schooling in their hometown. Saquil explained that his brother had planned to reunite with their father in Chicago, Illinois, and would likely try the journey again soon. “There’s nothing to help us get ahead … The school we’re at is three hours away on foot,” he said.
Another 17-year-old, Glendi, one of nine siblings, had also sought a better future than possible in her rural hometown where she had only been able to get a basic education, said her aunt, Rutilia Bin Ich. The girl had hoped to live with her sister, who was already in the US, and help provide for her younger siblings. “Living in extreme poverty is really what led her to this path,” said Bin Ich.
Wanda Aspuac, an official at Guatemala’s migration institute, expressed concern over the increasing number of returns of children and teenagers. She noted that many of those returning were teenage boys with only primary school education. Aspuac’s concerns are well-founded as the number of unaccompanied minors attempting to enter the US has been increasing in recent years. In March 2021 alone, US border agents encountered over 18,800 unaccompanied children attempting to cross the border from Mexico, a record high.
The reasons for this increase are complex and multifaceted. Many of these minors are fleeing violence and poverty in their home countries. In Guatemala, for example, decades of political instability and civil war have left many communities impoverished and vulnerable to gang violence. The COVID-19 pandemic has also exacerbated these issues by causing economic hardship and disrupting education systems.
The journey north is fraught with danger for these children and teenagers. They often travel in overcrowded and unsafe conditions, with little access to food, water or medical care. Many fall victim to human trafficking or other forms of exploitation along the way. Those who do make it across the border face an uncertain future, as they are often detained by US immigration authorities and placed in overcrowded facilities.
The situation is further complicated by political tensions between the US and its neighbours in Central America. The Biden administration has promised to address the root causes of migration by investing in economic development and anti-corruption efforts in the region. However, progress has been slow due to political instability and resistance from some governments in the region.
In the meantime, organisations such as UNICEF are working to provide support and protection for unaccompanied minors who are returned to their home countries. UNICEF provides assistance with family reunification, education and healthcare services to help these children rebuild their lives after their traumatic experiences.
Ultimately, however, the only way to address this crisis is to address the root causes of migration. This will require sustained investment in economic development, education and anti-corruption efforts in Central America. It will also require a more compassionate and humane approach to immigration policy that recognises the dignity and worth of every human being. Until these changes are made, the plight of unaccompanied minors will continue to be a tragic reminder of the ongoing crisis in our region.