CNDH recommends to INM for denying entry to the country to two Zimbabweans hired as teachers

From the Editorial Staff

The newspaper La Jornada
Saturday, September 7, 2024, p. 12

The National Migration Institute (INM) violated the human rights of two people from Zimbabwe by improperly denying them entry to Mexico in August 2023, even though they proved they had been hired as English teachers at an educational institution in the country, the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) confirmed.

In recommendation 144/2024, the agency asked the INM to establish contact with the victims to confirm their intention to re-enter the country and, if necessary, to make the necessary arrangements to facilitate their entry into national territory to exercise their rights. It also requested the immediate reparation of the damage.

The CNDH explained that the Zimbabweans arrived at Mexico City International Airport from Turkey, where they were prevented from showing the documentation proving their employment as teachers by the institution (which had previously processed the issuance of their visas), which is why they were not admitted into the country and were returned to their country of origin.

He explained that even though the victims met the requirements to enter the country, INM workers failed to investigate and validate the statements of these people. In addition, they argued that they were not financially solvent, without taking into consideration that, since these were visas for work offers and that their immigration permits would allow them to carry out paid activities, their employer would provide them with a salary with which they would meet such requirement.