The inhumane situation faced mainly by Central American immigrants detained by the Mexican immigration service was denounced last week in a report to the Mexican National Commission on Human Rights.

That same day, at an international meeting on immigration held in Mexico City, Luis Ernesto Derbez, Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs, condemned those who treat undocumented immigrants “as mere objects, or worse, as criminals,” alluding to the immigration proposal in the U.S. Congress. The Mexican government’s double standard was embarrassing to everyone.

The National Commission on Human Rights, a public institution equivalent to a Public Defender’s office, let it be known that it was concerned “by the extent of marginalization and poor treatment suffered by immigrants during their stay in migratory stations and other places used as such in Mexico.”

The agency also denounced “the criminalization of the undocumented immigrant, as the General Population Law considers it a crime to enter the country without documents.” That is, Mexico has been operating under an anti-immigrant law for the past 32 years that is harsher than what is being proposed in the U.S. House of Representatives, which has been criticized by immigrant defense groups and by the Mexican government itself.

Among the statements made by the Commission, the agency pointed out that in theory only the National Migration Institute and the Federal Police can undertake immigration control, but in practice this is being undertaken by state and municipal police.

According to the report, 93 percent of undocumented immigrants detained in Mexico are of Central American origin, and the Commission’s visits to immigration centers have revealed evidence of “the need for dignified and humane treatment of the detainees.”

The structures usually lack drainage systems, and there are leaks and standing water throughout. According to the report, this generates unpleasant odors, contamination and propagates infectious diseases.

The detainees often do not have mattresses, blankets or basic cleaning supplies, and when they do they are often in a terrible hygienic state, according to visitors. In some places they have to sleep on the floor or even outside.

There is overpopulation, overcrowding, and inadequate separation between women, men, minors and families. Worst of all, as the undocumented are treated as criminals, they are placed side by side in immigration centers with people who have been detained for criminal acts.

The disturbing report indicates that in the majority of the stations there is not enough food, and in some this requires rationing of food and water. There is no medical attention in the centers and, usually, the consulate is not notified when an undocumented person is detained.

The Commission finalized its report with a series of proposals to the National Migration Institute for it to comply with the General Population Law and all national and international human rights standards, among which is the notification of a consular representative for each undocumented person. At the same time, the report stresses the urgency of a comprehensive immigration reform in Mexico.

Our attempts to confirm the use of corporal punishment against detained immigrants were inconclusive.