Children are increasingly seeking safety across Latin America driven by violence, persecution, political instability, extreme poverty, and family separation. Many travel alone or become separated from family along the way, exposing them to heightened risks of trafficking, exploitation, and abuse.
Unaccompanied migrant children (also called unaccompanied minors) are children, as defined in article 1 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, who have been separated from both parents and other relatives and are not being cared for by an adult who, by law or custom, is responsible for doing so.
Advancing Safety, Stability, and Durable Solutions
KIND is a global leader in the protection of unaccompanied and separated children. In Latin America, KIND works across countries of origin, transit, and destination to ensure children can access safety, family unity, and durable solutions grounded in their best interests.
Children who are unaccompanied, separated, or at risk of separation need protection throughout every stage of their journey. Across Mexico, KIND provides legal assistance for asylum, family reunification, and regularization of immigration status, along with psychosocial support and referrals to essential services. Through offices in Tijuana, Ciudad Juárez, Mexico City, and Tapachula, KIND also partners with civil society organizations and government stakeholders to strengthen protections for migrant children, particularly along Mexico’s northern and southern borders.
Children who return to Guatemala and Honduras often face significant challenges rebuilding their lives. KIND supports children and families through comprehensive reintegration services, gender-based violence prevention and response, and partnerships with parents, teachers, and community leaders to strengthen local support networks and help children thrive safely in their communities.
Children need strong systems of protection wherever they seek safety. KIND works with governments, consular officials, and local, national, and international partners to expand protection pathways, strengthen child protection systems, build institutional capacity, and advance child-centered laws, policies, and practices.
The stories of the refugee, migrant, and internally displaced teens from Central America in these videos are the stories of thousands of children who have fled their communities and countries to escape extreme violence and to save their lives.
Impact
KIND’s regional work combines legal services, psychosocial care, child-friendly information, partnership building, training, and advocacy. This holistic approach helps children understand their rights, obtain protection, reunify with family, reintegrate safely, and strengthen the systems that should protect them.
Approach
