Migrant Attacks in Mexico Double

Mexico — A recent study by the Network for Documentation by Migrant Defense Organizations (Redodem) has found that violence and threats from organized crime against migrants and forcibly displaced persons in Mexico doubled between 2023 and 2024, rising from 20.3% to 41.3%. This alarming increase reflects a phenomenon where migrants, especially those with limited resources, become targets for extortion and abuse.

The Growing Threat of Organized Crime Against Migrants

In Mexico, the situation for migrants and forcibly displaced persons has become increasingly critical. Organized crime identifies these groups as vulnerable and takes advantage of their situation to generate illicit profits.

The Perpetrators of Violence Against Migrants

Although organized crime leads the list of aggressors, it is not the only actor that violates the rights of people on the move. The Redodem study identifies private individuals, migration authorities, police, common criminals, human traffickers, military authorities, and gang members as responsible for human rights violations against migrants. This mosaic of perpetrators complicates care in shelters and support houses, as each actor has different motivations and mechanisms of violence that affect the safety and well-being of migrants.

Redodem and the Work of Protecting Migrants

Pastor Ignacio Martínez Ramírez, director of Casa ABBA in Celaya, Guanajuato, highlighted Redodem's free work to assist migrants without resources. "For organized crime, our migrant brothers are like pure gold to extort their families and support networks," he stated. Martínez Ramírez also warned that some support houses have had to temporarily close or reduce their services due to the direct threat from organized crime, severely affecting the capacity to assist vulnerable people.

Decrease in Intake But Increase in Risks

Despite a reduction in the number of people received at Redodem shelters—from 53,435 in 2023 to 37,999 in 2024—the threat from organized crime intensified. This change demonstrates that the presence of crime does not depend solely on the volume of migrants, but on the strategic operation of criminal groups that seek to control and profit from human mobility.

Perpetrator Data: From INM to Organized Crime

According to Luis Enrique González Araiza, director of the University Center for Dignity and Justice Francisco Suárez (ITESO), in 2023 the main perpetrators of human rights violations were the National Migration Institute (INM) and the police. By 2024, the data shows a radical change: organized crime became the main actor, increasing the complexity of care and protection for migrants.

The Structure and Mission of Redodem

Redodem is composed of 22 shelters, residences, dining halls, and organizations that directly assist people in human mobility and in vulnerable situations. With over 12 years of operation, Redodem has generated databases and catalogs of human rights violations that make aggressions visible and guide protection policies. Its work includes documenting, accompanying, and providing refuge to migrants, strengthening the support network in a context where violence from organized crime constantly threatens the safety and dignity of people.

The Stories Behind the Numbers

Every percentage and every datum reflects human stories: displaced families fleeing violence, people traveling without resources, children and youth at risk of exploitation and extortion. The figures from the study not only show a worrying trend but also the urgency for more effective public policies and protection strategies for those crossing Mexico in search of safety and opportunities.