Mexico’s Federal Attorney General’s Office (FGR) announced it has obtained a judicial order formally linking several employees of the National Migration Institute (INM) to criminal proceedings after they allegedly demanded payments from migrants.
Under Mexico’s accusatory justice system, this step—known as “vinculación a proceso”—means a judge has found sufficient evidence to proceed with a criminal case, though it does not constitute a conviction. The defendants will face further hearings as the investigation continues.
The INM, Mexico’s federal agency overseeing immigration enforcement and documentation, has faced repeated allegations of corruption and mistreatment of migrants transiting through the country, many of them en route to the United States border. Advocacy groups have long criticized instances in which officials reportedly extorted bribes in exchange for release, documentation, or safe passage.
While the FGR did not disclose extensive details in its initial announcement, the case adds to a series of legal actions targeting misconduct within immigration agencies as Mexico faces increased scrutiny over its treatment of migrants amid record levels of regional migration.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly called for greater oversight of the INM, arguing that corruption within its ranks undermines migrants’ rights and Mexico’s broader immigration policy goals.
Readers interested in the full details of the case can consult the original report from La Jornada.