Resumo

SILVA HERNANDEZ, Aída Lilia. Models of care for unaccompanied children and adolescents in Mexico. Advances and challenges. Espiral (Guadalaj.) [online]. 2023, vol.30, n.88, pp.81-116.  Epub 29-Jan-2024. ISSN 1665-0565.  https://doi.org/10.32870/eees.v30i88.7351.

The mobility in Mexican territory of children and adolescents unaccompanied by parents or guardians is a delicate and complex problem that has been in force for at least 25 years. Based on a documentary analysis, the objective of this article is to discuss the Mexican legislation related to this population group, from its foundations in human rights and the best interests of the child, to the care models or programs that have sought to make those guarantees effective. In 2021, it was recorded a historic maximum of 112,192 unaccompanied children apprehended on the Mexico-United States border (Kandel, 2021), urging the strengthening of these efforts. However, the analysis suggests that there has been a disjointed development and a fragmented approach, with difficulties in moving from legislative abstraction trough enforcing via inter-institutional coordination and budget allocation.

Palavras-chave : Care models; comprehensive protection; documentary analysis; unaccompanied children; Mexico-Central America-United States corridor.