Forum on Migration Policy Outlines the Challenges and Needs of Southern Mexico for 2020-2024
On July 9, 2021, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Mexico in coordination with the Migration Policy, Registration, and Identity of Persons Unit (UPMRIP) of the Ministry of the Interior organized a dialogue with the aim of identifying the challenges, needs and best practices for the implementation of a migration policy aligned with federal instruments on this matter.
This event takes place in the context of an increase in mixed migration flows, which include people with different needs, ages, and profiles. In fact, in July alone, Mexico received 12,807 new asylum applications, of which 70% were made in Chiapas, demonstrating the importance of addressing the issue of migration policy in the region.
This was a joint effort between four entities with border municipalities in southern Mexico: Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, and Quintana Roo.
The event was held virtually and was attended by more than 30 government institutions, including the UPMRIP, as well as representatives of the four governments, such as the Under-Secretariat for Human Rights and Human Security of Quintana Roo, the State Prosecutor’s Offices of Chiapas and Tabasco, the State Child Protection Systems (SIPINNA) of Chiapas and Tabasco, the Executive Commission for the Care of Victims of Tabasco, the Othón P. Blanco City Council, the State Human Rights Commission of Chiapas, among others.
Among the best practices is the establishment of the Round Table on Reconstruction, Peace and Security, made up of representatives from the three levels of federal, state, and municipal government. The aim is to establish direct links with each of the representatives of the security institutions for greater exchange of information and immediate action, at the same time as making inter-institutional communication more effective, resulting in faster and more comprehensive care for migrants. The importance of the role of the commission for the care of migrant children and adolescents in a context where minors who migrate are increasing was also highlighted.
"The Forum made it possible to identify the different proposals, perspectives and needs of local actors on the southern border of Mexico regarding migration. The findings will be taken up in a diagnostic document including recommendations on the confluence of priorities and needs at the federal and subnational levels", said Luis Arturo Cortés Rosas, director of Policy for the Protection and Integration of Migrants at UPMRIP.
"These actions will make it possible to take up good practices, strengthen the meeting points and address the areas of opportunity in the areas of public policy, interinstitutional coordination and care, protection and integration of people in mobility contexts in southern Mexico", he added.
This activity was carried out within the framework of IOM’s Western Hemisphere Program, funded by the United States Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration.