Surging Numbers of Young Migrants Try to Reach U.S.

Tens of thousands of children, many traveling alone, trudge from South America to seek asylum. An unprecedented number of unaccompanied minors—under the age of 18, often traveling alone or separated from their parents—are departing from South America in a dangerous bid to make it to the U.S., according to Panama migration officials and U.N. data. Traffickers often prey on young migrants, child advocacy groups say, and the children pose a challenge for migration authorities with limited resources to care for vulnerable travelers.

May 2023 for The Wall Street Journal
Text by Kejal Vyas
Any, 17, at an immigration post in Bajo Chiquito, Panama, said she struggled to find work or education in Venezuela before deciding on a whim to travel by herself through the Darien jungle, hoping to reach an aunt in the U.S.
Any, 17, at an immigration post in Bajo Chiquito, Panama, said she struggled to find work or education in Venezuela before deciding on a whim to travel by herself through the Darien jungle, hoping to reach an aunt in the U.S.
Rosa, 16, a Venezuelan migrant, at an immigration post in the hamlet of Bajo Chiquito, Panama waited for her parents who she was separated from during their journey through the Darien jungle.
Rosa, 16, a Venezuelan migrant, at an immigration post in the hamlet of Bajo Chiquito, Panama waited for her parents who she was separated from during their journey through the Darien jungle.
Mari 17, at a safe house in Panama for unaccompanied minors, said she left behind gang violence and domestic abuse in her native southern Colombia to start anew in the US.
Mari 17, at a safe house in Panama for unaccompanied minors, said she left behind gang violence and domestic abuse in her native southern Colombia to start anew in the US.
Mari 17, at a safe house in Panama for unaccompanied minors, said she left behind gang violence and domestic abuse in her native southern Colombia to start anew in the US.
Mari 17, at a safe house in Panama for unaccompanied minors, said she left behind gang violence and domestic abuse in her native southern Colombia to start anew in the US.
Friendly space to entertain children at San Vicente camp, Province of Darien, Panama. April 27, 2023.
Friendly space to entertain children at San Vicente camp, Province of Darien, Panama. April 27, 2023.
Friendly space to entertain children at San Vicente camp, Province of Darien, Panama.
Friendly space to entertain children at San Vicente camp, Province of Darien, Panama.
Friendly space to entertain children at San Vicente camp, Province of Darien, Panama.
Friendly space to entertain children at San Vicente camp, Province of Darien, Panama.
Friendly space to entertain children at San Vicente camp, Province of Darien, Panama.
Friendly space to entertain children at San Vicente camp, Province of Darien, Panama.
Friendly space to entertain children at San Vicente camp, Province of Darien, Panama.
Friendly space to entertain children at San Vicente camp, Province of Darien, Panama.
"Hi boy or girl, I love you, you are brave and your mother loves you."
"Hi boy or girl, I love you, you are brave and your mother loves you."
Letter written at friendly space to entertain children at San Vicente camp, Province of Darien, Panama.
Letter written at friendly space to entertain children at San Vicente camp, Province of Darien, Panama.
Drawing at friendly space to entertain children at San Vicente camp, Province of Darien, Panama.
Drawing at friendly space to entertain children at San Vicente camp, Province of Darien, Panama.
Drawing at friendly space to entertain children at San Vicente camp, Province of Darien, Panama.
Drawing at friendly space to entertain children at San Vicente camp, Province of Darien, Panama.
Drawing at friendly space to entertain children at San Vicente camp, Province of Darien, Panama.
Drawing at friendly space to entertain children at San Vicente camp, Province of Darien, Panama.
Self care area for teens at at San Vicente camp, province of Darien, Panama.
Self care area for teens at at San Vicente camp, province of Darien, Panama.
Self care area for teens at at San Vicente camp, province of Darien, Panama.
Self care area for teens at at San Vicente camp, province of Darien, Panama.
A young couple, seven-months pregnant, both Ecuadorians, at a migrant camp in San Vicente, Panama after walking across the Darien jungle. Darien, Panama.
A young couple, seven-months pregnant, both Ecuadorians, at a migrant camp in San Vicente, Panama after walking across the Darien jungle. Darien, Panama.
Young girl, seven-months pregnant, Ecuadorian, at Red Cross tent at a migrant camp in San Vicente, Panama after walking across the Darien jungle. Darien, Panama.
Young girl, seven-months pregnant, Ecuadorian, at Red Cross tent at a migrant camp in San Vicente, Panama after walking across the Darien jungle. Darien, Panama.
Alejandra Roja, 23, a Venezuelan migrant that struggled to make ends meet in Peru, rests at a U.N. camp for migrants after she trekked for days through the jungle with her 3-month-old daughter trying to get to the U.S. Lajas Blancas, Province of Darien, Panama.
Alejandra Roja, 23, a Venezuelan migrant that struggled to make ends meet in Peru, rests at a U.N. camp for migrants after she trekked for days through the jungle with her 3-month-old daughter trying to get to the U.S. Lajas Blancas, Province of Darien, Panama.
Alejandra Roja, 23, a Venezuelan migrant that struggled to make ends meet in Peru, rests at a U.N. camp for migrants after she trekked for days through the jungle with her 3-month-old daughter trying to get to the U.S. Lajas Blancas, Province of Darien, Panama.
Alejandra Roja, 23, a Venezuelan migrant that struggled to make ends meet in Peru, rests at a U.N. camp for migrants after she trekked for days through the jungle with her 3-month-old daughter trying to get to the U.S. Lajas Blancas, Province of Darien, Panama.

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