A total of 2,429 minors traveled alone and 32,060 were accompanied by a family member or a friend. This number represents 31.1 percent of 110,864 migrant children located and assisted in 2022, the INM stated.

The trend by nationality is the same as last year. Most children come from Guatemala (2,878), followed by Honduras (2,368) and El Salvador (559); the remaining 28,684 are from other countries globally, even outside the continent.

Given their vulnerability, unaccompanied or accompanied children found by migration authorities remain under the protection of the System for the Integral Development of the Family until their migratory situation is solved in Mexico.

INM Commissioner Francisco Garduño stated that the primary interest of the Institute, as part of the Mexican State, is to protect the integrity of children, promote family reunification and prevent them from becoming victims of human traffickers and criminal organizations.

jrr/iff/mem/lma