About the Migration Governance Indicators

Migrants' rights

Indicators in this domain assess the extent to which migrants have the same status as citizens in terms of access to basic social services such as health, education, and social security. It also describes the rights of migrants to family reunification, to work, and to residency and citizenship. The ratification of the main international conventions is also included within this domain.

Indicators in this category look at the extent to which migrants have access to certain social services such as health, education and social security. They also examine measures to ensure integration and access to work.

Whole of government approach

Indicators in this domain assess countries’ institutional, legal, and regulatory frameworks related to migration policies. Domain 2 also reviews the existence of national migration strategies that are in-line with development, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in relation to migration management. This domain also investigates the extent to which governments collect and use migration data.

Indicators in this category assess the institutional frameworks of cities for migration. This area also examines the existence of migration strategies consistent with development objectives, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in migration management.

Partnerships

This domain focuses on countries’ efforts to cooperate on migration-related issues with other states and with relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector. Cooperation can lead to improvements in governance by aligning and raising standards, increasing dialogue and providing structures to overcome challenges.

Indicators in this category focus on cities’ efforts to cooperate on migration issues with the national government as well as other cities and relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector.

Well-being of migrants

This domain includes indicators on countries’ policies for managing the socioeconomic well-being of migrants, through aspects such as the recognition of migrants’ educational and professional qualifications, provisions regulating student migration and the existence of bilateral labour agreements between countries. Indicators equally focus on policies and strategies related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances.

Indicators in this category assess cities’ initiatives in terms of international student mobility, access to the labour market and decent working conditions for migrant workers. Aspects related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances are also included in this domain.

Mobility dimensions of crises

This domain studies the type and level of preparedness of countries when they are faced with mobility dimensions of crises, linked to either disasters, the environment and/or conflict. The questions are used to identify the processes in place for nationals and non-nationals both during and after disasters, including whether humanitarian assistance is equally available to migrants as it is to citizens.

Indicators in this category examine the type and level of readiness of cities to deal with aspects of mobility crises. The questions focus on the processes in place for citizens and non-citizens both during and after disasters, especially if humanitarian assistance is available for migrants and citizens.

Safe, orderly and regular migration

This domain analyses countries’ approach to migration management in terms of border control and enforcement policies, admission criteria for migrants, preparedness and resilience in the case of significant and unexpected migration flows, as well as the fight against trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants. It also assesses efforts and incentives to help integrate returning citizens.

Indicators in this category look at the cities’ approaches to migrant safety as well as return and reintegration policies and the fight against trafficking in persons.

Key findings

Introduction

This Profile describes examples of well-developed areas of Mexico City (Mexico) migration governance structures and areas with potential for further development, as evaluated through the six domains of the Migration Governance Indicators (MGI). These address migrants’ rights, a “whole-of-government” approach, partnerships, socioeconomic well-being of migrants, the mobility dimensions of crises, and safe and orderly migration.

Click the icons on the wheel to explore the key findings.

The Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) initiative is a policy-benchmarking programme led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and implemented with research and analysis from the Economist Intelligence Unit. Funding is provided by IOM Member States.

Key findings

Migrants' rights

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

The Health Law of Mexico City (2021) prescribes the provision, free of charge, of public health services, medicines and associated supplies to the entire population, including migrants.
All persons, including migrants, have access to all levels of education, in keeping with the principle of non-discrimination.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment Promotion (STYFE) of Mexico City offers unemployment insurance to which migrants have access.
Migrants may access Mexico City’s municipal services irrespective of their migration status. The Law on

Interculturality, Migrant Support and Human Mobility promotes universal access to services and ensures fulfilment of the human rights of all persons.

The Law on the Rights of Children and Adolescents in Mexico City (2015) creates mechanisms to protect migrant children, unaccompanied minors and children who are left behind.

Areas with potential for further development

Access to social housing In Mexico City is available only to resident migrants with formal employment.

Key findings

Whole of government approach

Areas with potential for further development

The Ministry of Inclusion and Social Welfare (SIBISO), working through the Sub-directorate for Migrants, provides migrants with guidance, advice and referrals in human rights matters.
Mexico City’s Commission on Interculturality and Human Mobility, chaired by SIBISO, makes for efficient coordination in providing migrants the necessary assistance and services.
The Council for the Prevention and Elimination of Discrimination in Mexico City (COPRED) holds regular workshops to build cultural awareness among public officials.
Mexico City provides clear and transparent information regarding the rights and duties of migrants.
The Padrón de Huéspedes y Migrantes en Retorno de la Ciudad de México (register of migrants and returnees in Mexico City) maintains a record of migrants in the city for Service management.

Areas with potential for further development

Although Mexico City’s Government Programme (2019–2024) does mention migrants, there is no programme document laying out a migration strategy.

Key findings

Partnerships

PARTNERSHIPS

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

The authorities of Mexico City collaborate with civil society organizations (CSOs) in setting the agenda and implementing migration-related policies and programmes.
Mexico City is part of international city networks, which comprise a framework in which to share migration-related expertise and best practices.
Mexico City cooperates actively with IOM and other United Nations agencies on matters of migration.
The City cooperates with academia on migration-related issues, as the Law on Interculturality,
Migrant Support and Human Mobility enshrines the importance of such collaboration.

Areas with potential for further development

The Government of Mexico City cooperates to a limited extent with the private sector in matters of implementing migration-related policies and programmes.

Key findings

Well-being of migrants

Areas with potential for further development

Local authorities in Mexico City implement programmes to promote and facilitate the integration of migrant workers into the workforce.
There are local measures in place to promote gender equality for migrants in the workforce.
There are local measures in place in Mexico City to promote the ethical hiring of migrant workers such as job fairs, the strategy titled Opening Spaces (Abriendo Espacios) and the Decent Work Country Programme.

Areas with potential for further development

No local assessments are undertaken in Mexico City to gauge the labour market demand for immigrants.
There are no reports of any local assessments designed to gauge the labour supply and the impacts of outmigration on the local labour market.
Access to employment schemes requires proof of identity in Mexico (such as the Unique Population Registry Code (CURP) or the identification card issued by the National Electoral Institute to legal residents).

Key findings

Mobility dimensions of crises

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

The Ministry of Integral Risk Management and Civil Protection (Secretaría de Gestión Integral de Riesgos y Protección Civil, SGIRPC) of Mexico City is the institution responsible for crisis management and the prevention of disasters and emergencies.
The Ministry of Inclusion and Social Welfare (SIBISO) maintains close relations with the Consulates from which the most migrants originate.
There are local communications systems for receiving information about the evolving nature of crises and regarding ways of accessing assistance; there is also a way for the public to communicate its needs to the local authorities.
The Human Rights Commission of Mexico City has a protocol on the provision of emergency humanitarian aid to migrants and/or persons subject to international protection.

Areas with potential for further development

The Law on Integral Risk Management and Civil Protection does not specifically mention migrants, nor is it gender sensitive.
Mexico City has no established strategies for dealing with migration flows triggered by environmental degradation and the adverse impacts of climate change.

Key findings

Safe, orderly and regular migration

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

In Mexico City, migrants have the right to access the justice system, and to legal guidance or any type of legal assistance, irrespective of their migration status.
The Attorney General of Mexico City and the Ombudsman for the Defence of Children and Adolescents handle cases of human trafficking in Mexico City.
The local government facilitates integration and reintegration of migrants through various programmes including the JuventusMx programme; the PILARES programme and the Emerging Social Action (Acción Social de Apoyo Emergente) programme,
The authorities of Mexico City implement national guidelines on dealing with cases of disappearance or death occurring during migration.

Areas with potential for further development

The local authorities provide ad hoc reporting on their activities to combat human trafficking.
Police training in Mexico City regarding migrants’ rights is intermittent.

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