FOLLOWING THE ROUTE OF MIGRANT CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS FROM GUATEMALA In the last three years, 75% of the children and adolescents who reached the southern border of the United States came from the Northern Triangle of Central America; 24% came from Guatemala.
Did you know that more and more children and adolescents are migrating under unsafe conditions? Sometimes, they do it to escape violence, other times to reunite with their families, support their families economically or search for a better future.
Two years ago, I left for Oklahoma. I was not thinking of the future; I wanted to meet my parents in person. Mi dad left when I was one year old; my mom followed him two years later. They left me with my grandparents. Now I already have two siblings who were born over there. Mi grandparents agreed with my decision because they cannot take care of me anymore; my parents will not return.
Did you know that...?
En entire industry has emerged based on migration. Crossnational networks of people who dedicate themselves to human trafficking, using “blind spots”.These are scarcely populated areas without the presence of the authorities.They travel by boat, without sufficient food and shelter to survive or finish their trip in a good physical and mental condition.
The high-risk regions coincide with the areas where the Zetas are present.
Between Mexico and Guatemala, there are at least 136 gangs of migrant traffickers. 30 “blind spots” are registered where the authorities report that they cannot patrol due to a lack of staff.
The triangle of Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa and Saltillo. Veracruy and a part of Tabasco. There is a total of nine migrant stations and eight migrant homes.
Did you know that...? The probability of detention by the authorities in the transit or destination countries is high.
This is why it is important to know what to do and what are your rights in case of detention and return.
The police waited with us on the route. They took us to a place; I don’t know where, where I slept for two days. They put us on a bus to Guatemala with my dad. When we arrived, the coyote left; we went home by bus. My brother and my dad got through after we returned. I don’t have to try again.
According to Mexican migration law, no child or adolescent may be detained. Right to a call to the consulate. Legal counselling in the migratory stations. Application of the best interest of the child.
The process of return of every child and adolescent starts in the country where they are detained.There is an established protocol. In this process, a protection officer accompanies every child and adolescent until their repatriation.
Binational Protocol on the deportation of children and adolescents between Mexico and Guatemala
Identification Immigration station
Assignment of protection officer
In the return process, the migration authorities accompany the children and adolescents, after giving notice to the corresponding authorities such as the Attorney General’s Office and the Secretariat for Social Wellbeing.
These institutions contact the families of unaccompanied children and adolescents, so they can come to the reception shelters in Guatemala and Quetzaltenango. However, many return to the migratory route due to the lack of protection and community reintegration programs.
Interview
Communication with the consulate Family location
Relocation coordination
Reinsertion
Reception of minors
Derivation/ Reunification
What are the rights which protect migrant children and adolescents who return?
The care center of Quetzaltenango received me and my family was waiting for me there. When I returned to my community, everything was the same as before. Nothing had changed.
When you return to your community, it is important for you to know the programs which exist there.You have to ask at the care center for migrants about the local organizations and municipal institutions which can guide you in your reintegration.
Vulnerability identification