Do minors want to cross into the US to be raised by American foster parents?

Yes. American foster parents are regulated by the state in which they reside. They must meet specific requirements regarding food, clothing, and housing for minors. States also limit how many children may share a bedroom and set rules about the ages and genders of children who may share a room. American foster parents also receive support from private organizations that help provide supplies and resources as well as stipends. Children who have been in foster care are also eligible for federal financial support for higher education. They can access these benefits by indicating their foster care status on a FAFSA.

However, many American children in foster care struggle academically and often do not meet college admission requirements. Many American children of divorce who have been separated from a parent through family‑court processes—also frequently experience academic difficulties due to instability, stress, and disrupted family relationships.

This raises important questions: Would parents in Mexico willingly relinquish their children to American foster care? Do they believe American foster families can succeed where many American families have struggled? And do they understand the challenges within the U.S. system?

Mexico places a strong cultural emphasis on keeping families together for reasons of stability, safety, and the development of responsibility and respect within the household. In contrast to American foster children, unaccompanied minors entering the United States may remain strongly connected to their families in their home countries, which can provide emotional motivation and support, even from afar.  

The American AFCC separation of children from one or both parents has taught children how to avoid conflict, avoid failure, fear failure, fear conflict, and fear commitment with a learned expectation that relationships are doomed.  Here at RaiseYourRights we call it the AFCC creation and acceptance of “Parties of One”.