More than 30,000 children have crossed the Darién Gap between Panama and Colombia in the first four months of this year, a 40% increase from last year. Many face robbery, extortion, and sexual abuse by criminal gangs, according to UNICEF and MSF.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said he plans to visit Mexico's southern border to discuss the smuggling of child migrants with local officials.
President Obama will meet with leaders from Central America to discuss ways to curb the high numbers of unaccompanied children crossing into the United States.
More child immigrants from Central America are crossing into the United States, but there are not enough federal appropriations to help each child get settled in the US.