Where will the children go?
As it was discussed in last week’s blog, the United States via Mexico’s Programa Frontera Sur attempted to portray its “control” over the humanitarian crisis in the southern border. However, the reality is the flow of unaccompanied minors is far from ending. In fact, in order for us to understand what the near and distant future might look like, we must look at current situation.
For instance, much of the flow of unaccompanied minors from the northern triangle of Central America continues. According to the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), the number of apprehensions in 2015 reached the levels of 2013. But what exactly does this tell us about the near future? This means the fundamental push factors such as poverty and violence are still there and as long as these push factors remain, children will continue to migrate north. Therefore, this “problem” will not simply go away on its own. There needs to be well thought out solutions to minimize the violence and poverty Central America continues to face.
Moreover, if we look at the recent trend to militarize borders, it gives us an insight into the distant future. Both the United States and Mexico have pursued the strategy to further militarize their borders with their respective neighbors. Millions of dollars have been spent to make sure the “safety” of Mexico and the US remains the priority. This policy has led to a dangerous shift in migration routes. Central American minors are now taking more deadly routes when migrating to the US. As a result, the chances for children to die along the way have increased dramatically. If this trend continues, Mexico and the United States will see an increase in the number of immigrants dying in their land.
PC: Getty Images/ John Moore
The near and distant future of the unaccompanied minor crisis in the southern border is far from being solved. The push factors that motivate many children to make the dangerous journey north are still there. Therefore, there is no immediate sign they will stop from trying to reach the United States. Moreover, with the militarization of borders in Mexico and the US, the dangers for the minors have increased more than ever. The Mexican and American government have failed to realize these children are just hoping for a better life and are not criminals. Only time will ultimately tell us when this humanitarian crisis will come to an end.
Video: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/07/universal/es/honduras-el-salvador-guatemala-mexico-ninos-migrantes.html?_r=0
Reference:
http://www.wola.org/news/mexicos_migration_crackdown_creates_spike_in_apprehensions_dangerous_shifts_in_migrant_routes
http://www.wola.org/commentary/surprising_august_increase_unaccompanied_migrant_children
https://www.wilsoncenter.org/publication/mexicos-southern-border-strategy-programa-frontera-sur
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/15/opinion/as-refugees-flee-violence-in-central-america.html
Best,