Caritas Internationalis and other Christian networks issued a joint statement demanding policies that guarantee the rights and well-being of migrant minors. The document was released online on the occasion of World Migrant and Refugee Day 2026, which the Catholic Church celebrates on September 27, aligning with the appeal made by Pope Leo XIV on this issue.
The appeal encompasses organizations from various Christian Churches, calling on States and international institutions to develop safe, regular migration pathways adapted to children. The solidarity structures advocate for an end to policies that promote family fragmentation, emphasizing that reunification must be recognized as a fundamental dimension of child protection.
The text warns against the excessive reinforcement of security controls, noting that these measures may expose children to violence and human rights violations. The signatories of the manifesto call for the establishment of systems that ensure effective and non-discriminatory access to essential services, including the universal right to education and health, regardless of legal status.
The declaration also urges governments to improve the collection and disaggregation of data on mobility flows. The signing organizations highlight that migrant minors are vulnerable due to their young age, their status as foreigners, and the distance from the affection and protection of their respective families, facing serious risks of abuse. According to the Pope, millions of children and adolescents are forced annually to leave their homeland due to wars, poverty, violence, environmental disasters, and other tragedies.
