### Instituto Nacional de Migración Appoints Controversial Official in Baja California
On September 16, 2024, Jorge Alejandro Palau Hernández was sworn in as the new head of the National Institute of Migration (INM) Representation Office in Baja California. This appointment has sparked concerns due to allegations of Palau Hernández assaulting migrants during his tenure as head of the Siglo XXI Immigration Station in Tapachula, Chiapas.
Palau Hernández, who had been in charge of the immigration station in Mexico City since 2023, now replaces David Pérez Tejada, who was asked to resign in mid-August. The reasons for this change remain undisclosed.
Yesterday, the Coalition for Migrant Defense A.C. and the Working Group on Migration Policy released a statement expressing “deep concern” about Palau Hernández’s possible appointment, as the INM has not officially announced it. However, sources confirmed that Palau Hernández had indeed been sworn in. Alejandro Ruiz Uribe, the sole delegate, confirmed Palau Hernández’s arrival but as a caretaker head.
The Coalition for Migrant Defense called on INM Commissioner Francisco Garduño Yáñez and Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda to reconsider the appointment. They urged the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) to conduct a thorough investigation into Palau Hernández’s background and any potential human rights violations associated with him, ensuring that public officials in migration roles are committed to treating migrants and refugees with dignity, humanity, and empathy.
On September 20, 2024, Adriana Minerva Espinoza, the Undersecretary for Migration Affairs, stated that they must wait for the federal government to officially notify them. “The person arriving will act as a caretaker until the federal level determines who will be the INM commissioner,” Espinoza explained, adding that the state government will coordinate with whoever is officially appointed, emphasizing strict adherence to human rights. Baja California will continue to protect and assist people in mobility contexts.
### Community Reactions and Historical Context
In their statement, the Coalition for Migrant Defense and the Working Group on Migration Policy described Palau Hernández as having a “policing vision,” noting that he had previously failed to secure the top INM position in Ciudad Juárez. They warned that this appointment might be happening without proper transparency and official notification.
“Baja California has been a sanctuary for migrants, making it even more troubling for someone with a history that contradicts humanitarian principles to assume such a role,” the Coalition emphasized.
### Who is Jorge Alejandro Palau Hernández?
On August 28, 2021, around 30 migrants traveling in a caravan on the Tapachula-Arriaga coastal highway in Chiapas were allegedly assaulted by INM, National Guard, and Sedena elements. Shortly after, the INM issued a statement suspending officials, reportedly including Palau Hernández, then the director of the Siglo XXI immigration station and seen engaging in a scuffle with a foreigner.
The CNDH opened an investigation (CNDH/5/2021/7427/Q), which led to a recommendation for INM Commissioner Francisco Garduño Yáñez. The CNDH documented that INM officials tried to detain about 30 migrants, including children and women, through “punches, kicks, and shoves.”
Palau Hernández holds a degree in Law and a Master’s in Criminal Policy from UNAM. From May 15, 2023, he headed the Mexico City migration station. He served as the director of the Tapachula, Chiapas migration station in 2021. Between January and September 2019, he was the Deputy Director of Administrative Liaison for the Decentralized Administrative Body for Prevention and Social Rehabilitation of the Ministry of Security and Citizen Protection. From November 1, 2001, to May 15, 2023, he was the Director of Socioeconomic Research at INM, validating “socioeconomic profiles of evaluated staff.”
[Additional Relevant News]
**Migrant Support Groups Urge Mass Protest Against Appointment**
In follow-up to the controversial appointment of Jorge Alejandro Palau Hernández, several migrant advocacy groups and human rights organizations are calling for a mass protest. Scheduled for the end of September 2024, this demonstration aims to highlight the need for transparency in government appointments and advocate for the humane treatment of migrants. The protest organizers have emphasized that they seek to ensure the voices of migrants are heard and respected, urging the authorities to take a more compassionate approach to migration issues.
**Increased Migrant Arrivals in Baja California Amid Appointment Concerns**
Reports indicate a rise in the number of migrants arriving in Baja California, putting additional pressure on local shelters and resources. As the region continues to receive individuals and families fleeing violence and economic hardship from various countries, the appointment of Jorge Alejandro Palau Hernández raises further concerns among local and international organizations working to support these communities. They argue that adequate and empathetic leadership is crucial to managing the growing humanitarian needs effectively.