Resumen

MORENO MENA, José A.  y  AVEDANO MILLAN, Rosa María. Cornered by reality: Circuit minors. Estud. front [online]. 2015, vol.16, n.31, pp.207-238. ISSN 2395-9134.

The present study examines a category of migrant children named "circuit minors." This category includes unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents who cross the border continuously for various reasons and are typically associated with criminal gangs and human and drug traffickers. The aim of this paper is to highlight the problem and consider the risks and the state of social vulnerability in which this population lives. These categories of children and adolescent migrants are identified through a review of the literature, newspaper archives, and official statistics. The study draws on interviews with key informants to characterize this population. We conclude that there is a need to review existing frameworks for the protection of migrant children and to create an action protocol for officials who have contact with these children to ensure their best interests.

Palabras llave : migrant children; Northern border; human rights; vulnerability; risk.