Mexico: Security procedures at Mexico City international airport, including checks of passports and names for outstanding warrants (1998-1999)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 March 1999 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | MEX31278.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Mexico: Security procedures at Mexico City international airport, including checks of passports and names for outstanding warrants (1998-1999), 1 March 1999, MEX31278.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad1f8.html [accessed 6 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Further to MEX29026.F of 23 March 1998, detailed public information on the security procedures in place at the international airport of Mexico City could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, as discussed, three 1998 references to security in the airport were found. One report mentions a mandatory passport check for arriving foreigners (La Jornada 10 Oct. 1998). Another article reports the discovery of a criminal network for smuggling "illegal immigrants and contraband" that included security forces at the international airport of Mexico City (AFP 14 Aug. 1998). The network reportedly involved a group of elite soldiers, customs agents and other airport personnel (ibid.). One report states that in September 1998 "dozens of members of a special Mexican army anti-drug unit whose leadership is trained by U.S. Special Forces and the CIA were removed from their duties at Mexico City's international airport because of their alleged involvement in illegal drug and immigration rings" (The Washington Post 1 Oct. 1998).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this information request.
References
Agence France Presse (AFP). 14 August 1998. "Mexican Soldiers Imported Drugs, Illegal Aliens, Contraband: Reports." (NEXIS)
La Jornada [Mexico City]. 10 October 1998. "Fotos." [Internet]
The Washington Post. 1 October 1998. "U.S., Mexico Clash Over Drug Agents; American 'Double Standard' Alleged in Corruption Probe." (NEXIS)
Additional Sources Consulted
Latin American Regional Reports: Mexico & NAFTA Report [London]. 1997.
Mexico NewsPak [Austin, Tex.]. 1997.
Two oral sources were unable to provide information.
Electronic sources: Internet, Global NewsBank, Refworld, WNC.
