The Government of Mexico, in adherence to a migration policy that respects the human rights of all migrants and international humanitarian law, recognizes the right of freedom of movement of persons and the right of any individual to seek refugee status, as established by the different international instruments to which the country is part of and the national laws in this matter.

Bearing in mind the objectives by the international community to facilitate safe, orderly and regular migration (Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, 2018), as well as the national legal framework, and in order to ensure the safety and integrity of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, particularly children, older persons and women, the Mexican Government announces the following measures regarding the arrival of the Migrant Caravan from Honduras to the southern border of our country:

First. Any person that wishes to enter the national territory and that holds the travel documents and a visa granted by the Government of Mexico, through the Consular network of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will be able to enter the country and move freely until the expiration of the visa.

Second. Any person who enters a national territory and wishes to be recognized as a refugee or as a beneficiary of complementary protection measures must do so individually, in accordance with current legislation.

The Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR) is the institution in charge of processing and analyzing the aforementioned requests. The national legislation in force establishes a period of up to 45 business days, extendable for an equal period, to decide on the applications. During this time, the applicant must remain at a migratory station, managed by the National Institute of Migration (INAMI).

Third. In compliance with current national legislation, any person who enters the country in an irregular manner, will be rescued and subject to an administrative procedure and, where appropriate, will be returned to their country of origin, in a safe and orderly manner. This measure not only complies with national regulation, but also responds to the interest of the Government of Mexico to prevent such persons from becoming victims of migrant smuggling and human trafficking networks, which put their personal safety and integrity at serious risk.