Mexico tightens migration policy after US emergency measure expires

Mexico tightened its migration policy on Friday, following the expiration of the U.S. "Title 42" measure, which made it easier for U.S. border guards to remove migrants.

 

This measure has been replaced by other restrictions on asylum.

 

Mexico tightened its migration policy on Friday, following the expiration of the U.S. "Title 42" measure, which made it easier for U.S. border guards to remove migrants. The measure has been replaced by other asylum restrictions. However, Mexico fears a trickle-down effect that would leave many migrants stranded in its territory.

 

The Mexican government decided Friday to end, effective immediately, the issuance of transit documents allowing free movement in the country for 30 days, which many migrants used to travel to the United States. It is unclear whether this measure is temporary or permanent. 

 

In addition, the government has also decided to extradite undocumented migrants to their countries of origin more quickly in the future. According to the authorities, there are not enough reception facilities. Just this week, 33 INM immigration reception centers were temporarily closed after 40 people died in a fire at one of the reception centers in March. 

 

According to Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, about 26,500 migrants were in the northern Mexican border area on Friday. U.S. media reported 150,000 people. In the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, on the border with Guatemala, thousands of migrants have been waiting for months for entry papers.