Minors Immigrating to U.S. From Mexico Face Drug Addiction, Prostitution

Minors between the ages of 13 and 17 attempting to cross the border from Mexico to the U.S. face a variety of dangers, Milenio reports. In addition to facing health problems, like malnutrition and anemia, minors are often kidnapped or “lost on the road,” and many are forced into child prostitution. Coyotes and polleros, Mexican slang for people who help illegal immigrants cross the U.S. border for exorbitant fees, are often the culprits behind these crimes. They often introduce young charges to drugs, and many minors become addicted to drugs or drug dealers themselves as they are seeking ways to cope with the many challenges they face in the U.S. Read Article