A New Study Shows How Migrant Children Face Fear & Lack Safety Crossing Mexico

A new report from Save the Children and Plan International, provides an alarming description of the experiences migrant children have in Mexico while on their way to safety in the United States. The research, consisting of a 155 child interview process from 7 to 16 years old, was conducted between November 2024 and February 2025. Most of the children were from Mexico, Honduras, and Venezuela, while others came from as far away as Haiti, Afghanistan, and Colombia.

The results suggest that contrary to escaping hardship, many children are exposed to new dangers including violence, exclusion and prolonged periods of uncertainty. Consequently, instead of protection afforded by international law, they experience additional trauma and a continuation of the vulnerabilities which led them to flee.

The number of unaccompanied minors traversing Mexico has skyrocketed, increasing over two fold in that time period: from nearly 69,500 in 2019 to over 137,000 in 2023. This increase has been driven by rising violence, extreme poverty, and climate-change related displacement.

Increasing human rights scrutiny has emerged from new deportations of three U.S. citizen children without due process, one of whom was a child suffering from cancer. Activists argue that these policies are threatening vulnerable lives.

Increasing human rights scrutiny has emerged from new deportations of three US citizen children without due process, one of whom was a child suffering from cancer. Activists argue that these policies are threatening vulnerable lives.

The report urges governments to improve child protection systems at border crossings, ensure decent shelter for any children, and protect children’s rights throughout the migration process and in any shelter or reception dispositions. Without these reforms, they remain stuck in fear and uncertainty.