Over 2,000 migrant children have entered Chile in 2021 through unauthorized crossings in Colchane

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – So far this year, a total of 2,095 migrant children have entered the country of Chile, specifically the Tarapacá Region, through unauthorized crossings in the commune of Colchane.

This figure represents a third of the total number of foreigners who have arrived in the country irregularly. According to La Estrella de Iquique newspaper, the presidential delegate of Tamarugal, Natan Olivos, stated that in the last month alone, “600 clandestine entries were registered, of which 170 corresponded to children”.

Olivos explained that work had been done with all the organizations associated with children. “We have been doing tours in Colchane with the Child Protection Service, which is replacing what used to be Sename, and we have worked with Unicef,” he said.

He added that “of the children who enter through Colchane, and who do not come with responsible adults, we have a unique issue with this direct connection with the court. When Carabineros detects a situation, they contact the family judges, who determine the immediate actions to be taken with the minors.”