Migration & Refugees

Child Migrants Flee Central American Crisis

By Daniela Pastrana

Garifuna children from Honduras relax at one of the shelters on Mexican migration routes. Credit: Courtesy of Migrant rights defenders

In early May, the Irapuato Migrants’ House, in the centre-west Mexican state of Guanajuato, took in a group of 152 Garifuna Afro-Caribbean people from Honduras. Sixty of them were children. “It was a Sunday,” said Bertha, the cook. “They had children of all ages, from babies on up. They were only here a few hours, […]

→

Obama Proposes “Aggressive Deterrence” for Child Migrants

By Carey L. Biron

A 16-year-old Guatemalan migrant heading to the U.S. Credit: Wilfredo Díaz/IPS

Facing what some have dubbed a refugee crisis, President Barack Obama is asking for new powers that would significantly speed up the deportation process for tens of thousands of unaccompanied children recently arrived at the southern U.S. border. In a letter to lawmakers on Monday, the president requested some two billion dollars in increased funding, […]

→

U.S. Reaction to New Immigrant Influx Could Violate International Law

By Michelle Tullo

A child holds a sign at a rally for immigration reform. Credit: Progress Ohio/cc by 2.0

Rights advocates and lawmakers are expressing increased concern over the United States’ handling of the sudden influx of tens of thousands of undocumented child and female migrants from Central America. Last week, President Barack Obama announced that military bases would be converted to detention centres to house the nearly 50,000 unaccompanied minors that have arrived […]

→