Ley de Migración
The Ley de Migración (Migration Law), enacted in 2011, governs the entry, stay, transit, and exit of foreign nationals in Mexico. The law establishes the National Institute of Migration (INM) as the responsible federal agency and defines the different types of immigration status (visitor, temporary resident, permanent resident, and Mexican nationality). It addresses humanitarian visas, refugee status, and the rights of migrants, including protection from discrimination and access to justice. The law has been significant in the context of Central American migration through Mexico.
Legal area: Immigration law governs the admission, stay, and removal of foreign nationals and the rights of migrants and refugees.
Year enacted: 2011
Full text: https://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/htm/ley_migracion.htm
Key Provisions
- Art. 2: Right to free movement and migration (derecho a la libre movilidad)
- Art. 5-8: Types of immigration status (estatus migratorio)
- Art. 12-16: Entry and transit requirements (requisitos de entrada y tránsito)
- Art. 45-50: Temporary and permanent residence (residencia temporal y permanente)
- Art. 61-66: Humanitarian visas and refugee protection (visa humanitaria)
- Art. 67-72: Deportation and removal (devolución y deportación)
- Art. 73-78: Rights of migrants and access to justice
Significance
The Migration Law reflects Mexico’s role as both a country of origin, transit, and destination for migrants. The law’s recognition of humanitarian visas and refugee protection has been important in the context of Central American migration. However, enforcement of the law has been criticized for human rights violations against migrants. The law has been amended to address the increasing flow of asylum seekers and to strengthen protections for migrant children.