With migration and security as two inter-connected themes prevalent
in discussions between the United States, Mexico and Central
America, IOM and its partners are hosting a two-day seminar in the
southern border town of Tapachula to discuss comprehensive policy
responses.

The meeting, which opens today, brings together migration
experts from government and academia from Central America, Mexico
and the United States, to share lessons learned, exchange ideas,
and provide input for policy makers who must consider security
concerns when design migration-related policies.

"The links between migration and security in Mexico, and
particularly in border areas, have been growing since the events of
September 11, 2001," explains Juan Artola, IOM Chief of Mission in
Mexico. "But the link is much more complex, and therefore we need
to discuss the different dimensions and implications and provide
comprehensive policy responses. Because legitimate security
concerns cannot allow abuses against migrants, nor prevent the
expansion of mechanisms for orderly trans-border labour mobility.
Unfortunately, in Mexico, there is an increasing presence of
organized crime groups involved in kidnapping and extortion of
migrants, a matter of great concern for IOM and of great risk for
local humanitarian actors," adds Artola.

Mexico's southern border is the entry point for more 150,000
irregular migrants from Central America who try to reach the United
States. Women and unaccompanied minors are increasingly represented
in those flows. The border is also a hub for migrant smuggling
networks, human traffickers, as well as migrant abuse and violence
linked to organized crime. Added to that mix, there are established
patterns of temporary workers, mainly from Guatemala, whose
presence in the area responds to local labour needs.

The seminar is organized in close coordination with the Analysis
Collective for Democracy with Security (CASEDE A.C.), and the
research centre, Colegio de la Frontera Sur or ECOSUR. Funding for
the seminar was provided by the Ford Foundation.

For more information, please contact:

Juan Artola

IOM Mexico

Tel: +525 555 36 39 54

E-mail: "mailto:jartola@iom.int">jartola@iom.int