Migrant children forcibly returned from the United States to Mexico and Central America are facing danger and discrimination aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Returnees perceived to have the virus have been the target of violence and discrimination, while their reintegration is fraught with “major protection risks”, the agency reported on Thursday. Since March, the US authorities have returned at least 1,000 unaccompanied migrant children to Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, despite serious protection risks in their communities of origin. Nearly 460 migrant children were also returned from Mexico to Guatemala and Honduras during this same period.
The UN agency has received reports of communities in Guatemala and Honduras barring entry to outsiders and strangers, including returnees, in efforts to prevent virus transmission. Some migrants have also been threatened with violence, while migrant reception and transit centres have been attacked. The situation is further compounded by movement restrictions and lack of personal protection equipment (PPE) for staff working on child protection.
UNICEF urges all governments to halt pushbacks and deportations of unaccompanied or separated minors, as well as children with their families, without prior adequate protection and health screenings. Authorities are also being called on to uphold children’s right to seek asylum and reunite with their families, and to ensure equal access to COVID-19 testing and treatment. UNICEF is also working with governments across the region to shore up protection in numerous ways. Meanwhile, authorities at Mexico’s northern and southern borders, are receiving assistance in implementing protection screenings. UNICEF also is working in shelters, providing psychosocial activities, hygiene kits and information.
Source: The UN
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