Human Rights Watch conducted research throughout Mexico and Honduras in 2015 to examine how Mexico is applying national and international law in its treatment of Central American migrants, particularly children. Researchers interviewed migrant children and adults as well as representatives of UNHCR and other NGOs in the region. This report, based on Human Rights Watch’s research findings, highlights the discrepancies between Mexico’s law and the way it is enforced, including the obstacles in place which prevent migrants from securing asylum or refugee status. The report highlights these and other findings from the research, discusses the methods used, features individual stories of migrant children, provides an analysis of the situation (including the barriers to being granted asylum and the impact of detention on children), and concludes with key recommendations for government officials and others in the Mexico and the United States.
The report is also available in Spanish here.
