Texas Child Protection Law Bench Book

Updated January 2025

B. Definitions

For the purposes of the agreements, the following definitions apply.

“Mexican Minor” means an unmarried individual, under the age of eighteen, who is a national of Mexico or a national of Mexico and another country (or countries) as long as one of those countries is not the United States of America.

“Mexican Family” means a family with at least one parent who was either born and/or currently resides in Mexico, regardless of their immigration status in the United States of America.

“Custodian” means a person taking responsibility for a Mexican Minor's care.

“DIF” means the Agency for Integral Family Development. This is the agency in Mexico which is responsible for child welfare.