Identifying factors associated with respiratory tract infection in indigenous migrant day-laborer families'children living in the sugarcane sector in Colima, Mexico. This was a cross-sectional study. Having given their informed consent, 71 mothers were interviewed for compiling pertinent sociodemographic data and a history of respiratory tract infection in their children during the harvest period 2010-2011. Anthropometry for 176 children aged 0-14 years was recorded and they were clinically examined for upper and lower respiratory tract infection. Frequencies, percentages, Chi-square, odds ratio (crude and adjusted) and 95 % confidence intervals were calculated for the resulting data. 52.3 % of the children in the sample had a history of respiratory infection occurring during the last six months. Respiratory infection rates were statistically significant regarding temporary residence in shelters/hostels. The factors associated with a background of infection were being aged less than four years (AOR 4.06 (2.03-8.09) 95 % CI) and having been involved in temporary residence in a shelter,thereby leading to more overcrowding and an increased use of wood stoves for cooking (AOR 1.92 (1.01-3.63) 95 % CI). Indigenous migrant day-laboring families'children are vulnerable to respiratory infection. Prevention programs should target their activities by age-group, emphasizing younger children, and promote improved sanitary conditions in the shelters.