Message from the President and CEO

Protecting Unaccompanied Migrant Children

Earlier this year, we, like most Americans, were highly alarmed to learn about the increasing number of unaccompanied minors working in dangerous factory jobs, construction sites, and other workplaces across the country. A New York Times investigative report on migrant child labor placed a spotlight on this crisis; kids, some as young as 12 years old, have been subjected to exploitation, abuse, injuries, and even death on the job.

The Biden administration has established an interagency task force, asking the Department of Labor and the Department of Health and Human Services to bolster oversight, enforcement, and accountability, which we commend. But corporations must be accountable, too.

Of deep concern to us is that some of the employers mentioned in the report are suppliers to major corporations, some of which have been our longtime partners. I have connected with senior leadership at some of these companies and made very clear UnidosUS’s position on this issue. Protecting children is paramount. Our current system needs reform and more resources, including social support, to help migrant kids. I look forward to working with our partners across sectors to do just that.

Your support makes it possible for me and UnidosUS to advocate on behalf of Latinos, giving us timely, invaluable flexibility to address emergent issues just like this one. I’ll keep you updated on our progress around this issue as we advocate for accountability and work with allies to safeguard migrant children from exploitation.

In the meantime, I hope you are planning to join us for the 2023 UnidosUS Annual Conference “The Power of US” from July 22 to July 24 at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, IL. Read on for more details. We look forward to seeing you there.

Thank you again for your support!

Janet Murguía
President and CEO