Nurturing childhoods in freedom

This briefing paper provides an overview of the steps taken in Mexico in recent years to develop and implement community-based reception and care models for migrant children and adolescents that respect their rights, as an alternative to harmful and now illegal immigration detention practices. It also provides a look at two models of residential care that have shown promising practices in this regard, documented between June and September 2022. It presents a complementary systematization of lessons learned and experiences around the world that IDC has identified.

This document aims to inspire governments, local authorities, international organizations, civil society, community actors, and other stakeholders to reimagine community reception and care for migrant children from a place of freedom.