Mexico

The Regional Conference on Migration (RCM or Puebla Process) is a multilateral regional forum on international migration which involves countries that, from different perspectives, share a common problem, based on experiences relating situations of origin, transit and destination for migration. 

RCM member countries includes Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and Dominican Republic. 

The Employment Agency Regulations (RACT) of 2006, as amended in 2014, regulates private recruiters in Mexico.

This agreement aims to design together active policies of labour mobility research, in order to face shared challenges on this matter. It also seeks to guarantee decent labour conditions for temporary migrant employees from both countries. Furthermore, it tries to create binational database in order to make a fair recruitment that guarantees the rights of migrant workers.

Over the past 15 years, states in the southern border region of Mexico have become important transit areas for hundreds of thousands of migrants.  These on-the-move populations face extreme hardship and physical insecurity as they travel under inhumane and unsafe conditions, with limited access to basic shelter and essential social services. Moreover, on their journey northwards many of these migrants fall victim to organized criminal groups that prey on their vulnerable situation.

It is the foundation for the implementation of a State policy on migration, with a comprehensive attention approach and adequate governance regarding the different dimensions of migration in Mexico, as a country of origin, transit, destination and return of migrants.

The objectives of the programme are the following:

Elaborated in partnership with the office in Mexico of UNICEF, the Protocol is a tool that includes a questionnaire, guidelines for consular interviews and a safe personal data capture system that strengthens capacities of consular staff.

The Protocol helps to provide comprehensive attention, bearing in mind the situation of each minor individual, in order to assess his/her interest, identify situations of risk and activate the inter-institutional protection chain that guarantees the safeguard of his/her rights.

The General Attorney Office has established bureaus of special attention for migrants victims of crime in the states of Chiapas and Tabasco. Due to their geographical location, Chiapas and Tabasco are key spots in the transit of migrants from their country of origin to the north.

Specialized staff dedicated to protect and advocate for the human rights of migrants, regardless of their nationality or migratory status, during their transit by Mexico. These groups provide also support, rescue, relief, humanitarian assistance, legal advice and orientation. 

Grupos Beta (Beta Groups) is a service by the National Institute of Migration (INM) of Mexico dedicated to the protection and defense of the human rights of migrants and are specialized in providing orientation, rescue and first aid, regardless of nationality or immigration status.

In 2011, Mexico passed a law on migration which does not criminalize irregular migrants in the country. The new law guarantees that foreigners and Mexican nationals will receive equal treatment under Mexican law and decriminalizes undocumented immigration, reducing it to an administrative infraction, punishable with a fine of up to 100 days' worth of minimum wage. Under this equality principle all immigrants, regardless of status, nationality, or ethnicity, are granted the right to education and healthcare and are entitled to due process.

Allows nationals from the countries in Mercosur such as Chile, Peru, Bolivia to be able to migrate, either temporarily or permanently, and to be more integrated regionally. While increasing cooperation between the states, this mechanism also means that all the members of Mercosur will be naturalized regardless of their migratory status.

The agreements that Ecuador has with Peru and Venezuela, for example, make it easier for citizens from all three countries to stay and work in neighboring countries.