In 2010, KIND, The Global Fund for Children (GFC), and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Guatemala launched a reintegration project to help Guatemalan unaccompanied children returning home from the U.S.  In 2016, KIND expanded this work to include children returning to Honduras. Returning children struggle to re-enroll in school, resettle into their families and communities, overcome trauma they may have experienced during migration, and make a plan for a safer or brighter future. The Child Migrant Return and Reintegration Project (CMRRP), has served 500 returning migrant children and their families.  KIND and its partners have helped children by ensuring there is coordination between their caregivers in the US and their families upon return, that they return to their communities safely, and that they receive reintegration services such as family reunification support, skills training, counseling, medical and mental health services, and help with school enrollment and scholarships.   Since 2015, less than 5% of children participating in KIND’s CMRRP have re-migrated. Though modest in scale, KIND’s CMRRP serves as a successful model to governments, inter- governmental agencies, and non-profit organizations planning to develop or engage in reintegration services.

Colectivo Vida Digna

Asociación Pop No’j

ECAP (Equipo de Estudios Comunitarios y Acción Psicosocial)

Casa Alianza Honduras

CASM (COMISIÓN DE ACCIÓN SOCIAL MENONITA)

Unaccompanied or separated Guatemalan and Honduran children who have chosen to return to their country of origin, or who have received a removal order and plan to return to specific areas of Guatemala or Honduras where KIND offers programming are eligible to participate in the project. We serve children who:

• Have decided to return to the country of origin or been ordered to return;
• Are 18 years old or younger, if they entered the US as a minor;
• Return to the following countries:
  • Guatemala: Huehuetenango, Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Sololá, and Totonicapán
  • Honduras: San Pedro Sula and the Sula Valley, including: La Lima, Choloma, Progreso,Villa Nueva, Cortes, and Omoa; Comayagua and Tegucigalpa, on a case by case basis; Cases in some parts of Cortes, Yoro, Colon, and Santa Barbara Departments.

Returning children are identified and referred to CMRRP through Office of Refugee Resettlement shelters, KIND’s pro bono legal services network, partnerships with other organizations throughout the country, and Consular Officials. Participation in CMRRP is voluntary and CMRRP staff works closely with each child to ensure his/her involvement, beginning prior to the child’s repatriation, and throughout the different stages of the return and reintegration process.

Referrals can be made as soon as a child receives or decides to pursue voluntary departure, or receives a removal order from the Immigration Court. Referrals should be made no more than 5 business days after voluntary departure has been granted, when possible.

To refer a child to KIND’s Child Migrant Return & Reintegration Project please be sure the child meets the referral criteria. Review the project with the child, and obtain authorization to share their information with KIND.

Click here to make a referral

For questions about the CMRRP or to refer a child to the project, please contact:

Emily Kephart: (443) 294-3178

Please be ready to upload the following documents prior to submitting your referral:

• Signed Consent and Authorization Form (required); download here
• Child’s birth certificate (required)
• Other supporting documentation (immigration court orders, travel documents, educational records, etc)