Mexico

Mexico

HIAS staff Laura Bautista and Paula García lead a workshop on mental health and psychological support for emergencies at the "Una Luz en el Camino" shelter in Tapachula, Mexico, 13 September, 2023. (Selia Montes for HIAS)

Office Locations

Tijuana, Mexicali, Nogales, Ciudad Juárez, Reynosa, Matamoros, Monterrey, Palenque y Tapachula.

Founded

2019

Staff Size

81

Contact

HIAS Mexico

Mexico is a transit and destination country for vulnerable refugees and migrants, especially from Central America, Venezuela, and Cuba. The influx of asylum seekers and transit migrants has created challenges for civil society organizations and first-responders. This increase in migration has been driven by the effects of violence, armed conflict, climate change, and gender-based violence in the region. 

Refugees, migrants, and internally displaced people living in Mexico’s northern border cities, particularly women, girls, and LGBTQ+ refugees, face extremely high levels of violence, including kidnapping, human trafficking, and exploitation. Resources are limited, and humanitarian organizations are overwhelmed. 

Throughout the country, displaced people face challenges in accessing essential services, programs, and mechanisms to exercise their rights. 

161,000

people received services in 2023

Our Work

HIAS supports refugees to rebuild their lives and reunite with family members in safety and freedom. HIAS’ response in Mexico helps refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants to obtain legal protection in Mexico.

We provide legal services and support, including free legal representation for asylum seekers so that everyone around the world, including displaced people, can have equal access to their legal rights.

HIAS’ community-based mental health programs promote the well-being of individuals, families, and communities affected by crisis and conflict so they can heal and rebuild their lives.

We work to protect the right of women, girls, and LGBTQ+ communities to access their full potential and live free from violence by supporting survivors, mitigating risks, and transforming beliefs that perpetuate GBV.

We provide legal services and support, including free legal representation for asylum seekers so that everyone around the world, including displaced people, can have equal access to their legal rights.

Featured

An All-Woman Team Supports Survivors

“I’m really proud to work with the team here. A group of women has a different perspective, because of our lived experiences,” said Paula Garcia, the GBV officer for HIAS Mexico. “My colleagues and I support each other a lot and work together very collaboratively. Our gender-sensitive approach enriches our work and it also helps create a safe space for our beneficiaries that have experienced GBV.”

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Paula García, a staff member of HIAS Mexico, provides assistance to Darle from Haiti during a workshop held at the

Paula García, a staff member of HIAS Mexico, provides assistance to a Hatian woman who fled Haiti due to the pervasive violence in her home country. (Selia Montes/HIAS Mexico)

HIAS’ services are free. If someone tries to charge you for services claiming they represent HIAS, please report it at our confidential email address: ethics@hias.org. HIAS has a zero-tolerance policy on fraud and corruption. 

For any other inquiries please email us at info@hias.org.

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