Overview

• A 2-year-old girl from El Salvador was found by Texas authorities at the U.S.-Mexico border carrying a note with a name and phone number, traveling alone to reunite with her parents in the U.S.
• She was among over 200 migrants, including 60 unaccompanied minors, apprehended in Maverick County, Texas, on November 24, 2024.
• Officials and advocates have raised concerns over the exploitation and trafficking risks faced by unaccompanied minors, with hundreds of thousands reportedly unaccounted for after entering the U.S.
• Critics blame U.S. immigration policies for incentivizing dangerous journeys, while advocates call for stronger safeguards to protect vulnerable children.
• President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to prioritize border security, with plans for increased deportations and enhanced oversight of migration cases.