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Grupos Beta (Beta Groups) is a service by the National Institute of Migration (INM) of Mexico offering water, medical aid, and information to immigrants at risk. The first Grupos Beta was started in Beta Tijuana in 1990. There are now 21 Grupos Beta operated on three agency levels within the Mexican government in the states of Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Chiapas and Oaxaca.
Authorization By Mexican Law
“The legal basis for the creation of the Beta Groups Migrant Protection, is established in Article 71 of the Migration Act, published in the Official Journal of the Federation on May 25, 2011. Article 71. The Secretariat will migrant protection groups who are in the country, which will support the protection and defense of their rights, regardless of nationality or immigration status. The Secretary shall enter into agreements of collaboration and consultation with the departments and agencies of the Federal Government, the states and municipalities, with civil society organizations or individuals, with the aim of participating in the installation and operation of the migrant protection groups. “
Human Rights Abuse Concerns
Amnesty International and other human rights group are concerned about the violence migrants face while in route to the United States. Tens of thousands of migrants from Central America face human rights abuses at the hands of gangs, kidnappers,robbers, sexual predators and face other forms of abuses while in transit within the Mexican borders. Amnesty International cites the insufficient funding of services such as the Grupos Beta as not meeting the needs of the migrants within the Mexican government’s jurisdiction and which is their responsibility.
Migrant Knowledge of Program
Despite the criticism, the program is popular with the migrants that travel the commercial trains as noted in the movie Which Way Home, and in particular with the minors and youth. The officers are a welcomed site to the migrants travelers in dire need of services and also arrange for shelters for those in need of long tern assistance, or who can no longer continue on their journey.