Central American Refugees in Mexico: Barriers to Legal Status, Rights, and Integration

The following report is from a year-long investigation by M.A. students at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin in collaboration with FM4 Paso Libre, a civil society organization based in Guadalajara, Jalisco that is dedicated to the defense and promotion of migrant and refugees’ human rights through comprehensive humanitarian assistance, advocacy, and research. The project emerged from a shared binational interest and concern for pressing public policy challenges related to migration, and the direct impact that these challenges have on migrants, refugees, and civil society.

The Colegio de la Frontera Norte (COLEF) participated in the project through the pioneering Research Center, which studies migration throughout Mexico and works closely with FM4 Paso Libre. COLEF`s involvement in this project created the possibility to continue fostering greater understanding around migration, provide information for decision makers working on these topics, and sensitize communities regarding migration.

The project and corresponding travel and field research was made possible by the Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law and the Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin.

Table of Contents

Table of Acronyms

Forward

Chapter 1: Central American Refugees in Mexico

            Economic Instability and Structural Violence

            Gang Violence

            Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

            LGBTI Refugees

            Political and Social Conflict

Chapter 2: The Refugee Application Process

            Legislative Underpinnings

            Legal Process to Solicit Refugee Status

            Refugee Status Applicant Demographics

Chapter 3: The Role and Structure of COMAR

            Personnel Analysis

            Budget

Chapter 4: Guaranteed Rights for Refugees

            Introduction to Mexico’s Refugee Legal Framework

Chapter 5: Obstacles for Refugee Integration

            Institutional Barriers to Refugee Integration

            Obstacles to Accessing Basic Services

            Discrimination and Ignorance

Chapter 6: Policy Responses

            Expand COMAR’s Operational Capacity and Address Staffing Concerns

            Expand and Improve Refugee Integration and Support Services

            Reduce Violations of Rights and Discrimination

Appendixes

Endnotes