How Legal Mandates and Tradition Define Mexico's Asylum

Mexico's foreign policy embraces refuge and political asylum as fundamental legal and humanistic principles, constitutionally guaranteed and historically extended to those fleeing persecution, conflict, and crises, particularly from Latin America.

How Legal Mandates and Tradition Define Mexico's Asylum
Feeling persecuted? Mexico's got a law for that (or two, constitutionally speaking!). Plus, if you're fleeing widespread violence in Latin America, they've expanded the definition.

Mexico's approach to offering refuge and political asylum stands as a deeply embedded feature of its national and international legal frameworks, reflecting a foreign policy long characterized by humanism, particularly towards Latin America and populations fleeing persecution, conflict, dictatorship, or social upheaval.1 This enduring tradition, officials say, is not merely a matter of humanitarian concern but is firmly grounded in the country's constitution and international commitments.

According to María Teresa Mercado Pérez, the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs overseeing relations with Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East, the historical roots of asylum are robust within the Mexican legal system, buttressed by international law and the treaties to which Mexico is a signatory.