A woman and her three children, ages 7, 9, and 11, of Chinese nationality seeking protection in Mexico, have been held in inhumane conditions since November 13 near Mexico City International Airport (AICM), according to a report by the Institute for Women in Migration A.C. (IMUMI).
In an interview, the organization explained to EL UNIVERSAL that they are following the case after the National Institute of Migration (INM) determined that they were not admissible in the country, without offering further explanations, and limiting themselves to saying that “they do not meet the requirements.”
“The family is in inhumane conditions: in a guarded room, with dirty mats and excessively cold air conditioning, with no light other than artificial light 24 hours a day, and fed fast food provided by the airline that transported them,” the NGO said.
Faced with this situation, INUMI filed an appeal against the family’s deportation. Hours later, the Fourth District Court for Administrative Matters in Mexico City granted the suspension and ordered the INM to immediately release the family.
In addition, the INM was warned that if it failed to comply with the order to not release the family, a fine would be imposed. However, the INM refused to release the family and filed a complaint against the appeal.
Therefore, the IMUMI filed a complaint with the National Commission for Human Rights (CNDH) and the Federal Attorney for the Protection of Girls, Boys and Adolescents and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Mexico have been informed. Even so, the family remains in Terminal 2 of the AICM.
The National Commission on Human Rights (CNDH) called on the INM to implement immediate attention mechanisms to prevent foreigners in vulnerable conditions from being in temporary stays for long periods of time, and to guarantee dignified treatment for this population sector.
“The National Commission considers that the immigration authority in Mexico must guarantee the rights of migrants at all times, even more so when families, as well as girls, boys and adolescents, are involved, so the INM is called upon to take the appropriate actions,” the statement argues.
The organization stated that personnel assigned to the Directorate of Attention to Migrants of the Fifth General Inspectorate requested information from the responsible authority, which reported that it is managing the same in order to immediately respond to the request of this National Commission.
In addition, CNDH personnel went to the AICM to verify the health conditions of the aforementioned family, as well as their immigration status, so we will continue to provide timely attention to this matter.
During the said procedure, the family was interviewed, after which it was noted that the minors are in healthy condition. Regarding their immigration status, the Local Representative of the National Institute of Migration (INM) at the AICM reported that he has already notified the Office of the Ombudsman for Children’s Rights.
It was also indicated that the airline responsible for their arrival in Mexican territory has provided them with food three times a day, as noted in the respective Government Book, adding that the injured party has been able to establish telephone communication with her husband, who is residing in the United States. Likewise, it was reported that, during their stay in those facilities, they have been given medical evaluations.
Regarding the determination of their legal status, INM authorities informed personnel of the National Commission that they are awaiting the jurisdictional resolution issued by the District Court that is aware of the amparo lawsuit filed by the injured party.
Source: eluniversal
