Coalition sues US Department of State to force it to reveal how much it pays Mexico to stop Central American migrants from reaching the US border

A coalition of human rights groups are suing the US State Department to make it reveal how much it is paying the Mexican government to stop migrants and refugees reaching the US border.

Mexican and US organisations led by the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law in Los Angeles are demanding records which identify the type and amount of financial aid it provides Mexico’s National Institute of Migration, known by its Spanish initials, INM.

A freedom of information request was made last September following mounting concern about the huge increase in detention and deportation of Central America migrants in Mexico amid pressure and financial aid from the US.

Mexican authorities detained 190,366 people in 2015 – 120% more than in 2013, according to official figures. It deported 155,418 people last year, compared to 80,902 in 2013.

Almost 98% of those deported in 2015 were from the violent northern triangle of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala where people are fleeing a lethal mix of gang warfare, corruption and extreme poverty.

Human rights groups sue US over immigration payments to Mexico | US news | The Guardian