Migrant Children. International Protection in a Context of Children’s Rights

On Tuesday, April 30^th, 2024, UNAM’s Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (ICAT, Spanish initials) hosted a conference titled “Childhood in the Context of Migration and the Need for International Protection”. The session was conducted by Luisa Gabriela Morales Vega, a Ph.D. holder in law and a teacher at UNAM’s graduate school in law. She presented an exhaustive analysis of the complex migration problem, focusing specifically on migrant children, a that needs to be legally and politically considered vulnerable. She emphasized the importance of advocating for an approach that addresses the challenges faced by these children. 

Morales Vega highlighted the paradigmatic shift in the approach to migrant children, recognizing them as individuals with inherent rights rather than the traditional view that places them just as objects of protection. 


Challenges faced by Migrant Children in Mexico 
Migrant children in Mexico face significant challenges that negatively impact their physical, emotional and social well-being. Among them stand out the limited access to adequate healthcare services, and exposure to precarious conditions that aggravate existing health problems and increase the risk of infectious diseases. Furthermore, they are exposed to labor exploitation, human trafficking, and other forms of violence, which puts them in high-risk situations that hinder their development opportunities, in a context of legal and social challenges dependent on their migratory status and available options. The lack of clarity in the migratory regularization process can leave children in a situation of legal and social vulnerability, without access to adequate education and protection, and familial separation during the migratory process that causes trauma and adaptation difficulties, further exacerbating their vulnerable situation. 


Institutional and community responses  
Various responses to these challenges have been implemented by both governmental and civil society institutions. In government side, policies and programs have been established to enhance access to essential services such as healthcare, education and social protection. Furthermore, the coordination between government agencies has been strengthened to provide an integral response to the needs of this vulnerable population, despite significant deficiencies in the assistance and infrastructure within the National System for Integral Family Development (DIF, Spanish initials). 

Looking ahead, there are still significant challenges in protecting the rights of migrant children in Mexico. An integrated approach involving all stakeholders is necessary, along with increased investment in programs oriented to assist migrant children and enhanced coordination mechanisms among key actors. In short, it is crucial to reinforce the legal framework, promote awareness, and ensure long-term solutions for migrant children. 

The conference can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpnjhtmr5g8. 

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