On behalf of the Government of Mexico, the Foreign Ministry expresses its concern about the decision of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to terminate the so-called Flores Settlement Agreement that set a 20-day limit on how long children and adolescents could be detained in U.S. immigration detention centers.
The new rule is scheduled to take effect in 60 days. It states that migrant families with children must remain in detention centers while they wait for their cases to be heard. This means that children could be held indefinitely as long as the delay in deciding immigration cases continues.
In accordance with Mexico's unwavering commitment to protect migrant children and adolescents, the office of the Undersecretary for North America, through the embassy and consulates in the United States, will carefully monitor conditions at the centers and continue to provide consular assistance and protection to Mexican families detained under these new rules.
Lastly, the Government of Mexico will pay close attention to the rule's implementation and to any related legal challenges. In addition, appropriate legal alternatives will be assessed with the help of the Mexican Civil Rights Advisory Groups (MCRAG) in the United States.