High Number of Child and Adolescent Migrants in Chiapas
Gilberto Morales | El Heraldo de Chiapas
San Cristóbal de las Casas.- The Network for the Rights of Children and Adolescents in Chiapas (REDIAS) announced in a letter that, in Mexico, in 2022 more than 45 thousand girl, boy and adolescent migrants were detained, and were then repatriated to their countries of origin.
The agency reported that 46,654 migrant children and adolescents had been detained in Mexican territory from January to September 30th, 2022, because the only way to reach the United States is through the highways of Mexico.
“During this period, Mexico has deported 7,304 girls, boys, and adolescents, which is equivalent to 812 deportations per month. In addition, it is known that by September, 16,952 migrant minors were detained in Chiapas, which represents 37.1% of all child and adolescent detentions in Mexico”, they said.
They indicated that of every ten migrants, five come from Central America, four come from South America and one comes from another part of the world, and that in recent months the migration of the population from Venezuela has also increased. In 2022 more than 5,000 girls, boys and adolescents from that country between the ages of ten and 11 who travel accompanied by their parents or a relative were detained in Chiapas, and unaccompanied adolescents represent 13.9%, “Chiapas ranks first in child deportations nationwide.”
“While the United States have deported 19,415 children and adolescents of different nationalities up to September, surely the remaining three months of 2002 could increase the passage of migrant children and adolescents”, they point out.
Finally, they indicated that, from January to September 30th, 82,621 people have requested refuge in Mexico, 22 children and adolescents, and that refuge is a right for children and adolescents, “whose lives are in danger in their country of origin. They have the right to receive special protection in any country.”
Original version in Spanish at https://www.elheraldodechiapas.com.mx/local/municipios/en-chiapas-numero-de-migrantes-de-ninos-y-adolescentes-es-elevado-9296749.html (07.12.22)
Translated by Schools for Chiapas.