Many are from Central America’s northern triangle and have suffered state-sponsored violence, gang activity, death threats or domestic abuse. They risk a life-threatening journey to the US, in a desperate attempt to escape poverty and persecution.
“The decision is not being made lightly. It’s more like it’s being made for them because they don’t really have any other choice but to come – but to leave,” said Salma Hasan, senior attorney for Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) in Houston.