UNICEF USA Statement on Recent Deaths of Migrant Children

NEW YORK (May 24, 2019) – Recent reports about the deaths of migrant and refugee children during the immigration and asylum process are deeply upsetting. Every child, no matter where they come from, deserves to be safe and protected. While the specifics of these recent cases are different, each child left their home in search of a safer, more secure future.

Children should not be detained for migration purposes and should be provided access to healthcare and other essential services regardless of their immigration status. UNICEF USA urges the US Government to ensure that children receive medical care while in government custody.

UNICEF works to protect uprooted children around the globe, including working to address root causes of forced migration, advocating for families to be kept together, ending detention by creating practical alternatives, combating discrimination, and more. UNICEF calls on all governments to make sure that children are safe and healthy wherever they are: in their home countries, in transit, at border points or in countries of destination.

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About UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, safe water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. UNICEF USA supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

For more information, contact
Erica Vogel, UNICEF USA, 212.922.2480, evogel@unicefusa.org

Gabby Arias, UNICEF USA, 917.720.1306, garias@unicefusa.org