Justice moves slowly in Mexico, but sometimes it stops entirely. A Mexican court has officially closed the criminal case against Francisco Garduño, the former head of the National Migration Institute, who faced charges over the horrific 2023 detention centre fire in Ciudad Juarez.
Forty migrants died in that fire. Another thirty suffered severe injuries. It stands as the single deadliest tragedy in the history of Mexico's immigration detention network. Yet the man at the top of the agency has walked away from the charges.
What Happened Inside the Ciudad Juarez Facility
On that night in March 2023, a protest broke out inside the male section of the Ciudad Juarez immigration facility. Detainees set fire to mattresses to protest their impending deportations and detention conditions.
Security camera footage later revealed a horrifying reality. As thick black smoke rapidly filled the cells, guards walked away. They made zero attempt to open the locked gates. While female detainees in a separate area were safely evacuated, the men were left trapped. Most of the victims were migrants from Venezuela and Central America.
Garduño faced accusations of abuse of office and improper performance of duties for failing to prevent the systemic failures that allowed the tragedy to happen. His dismissal from criminal liability has triggered fierce backlash from victim advocacy groups and legal representatives who call the ruling an act of selective justice.
The Fight for Accountability
Legal teams representing the victims' families point out that accountability has completely stalled for high-ranking architects of the system. While lower-level actors—including six immigration agents, a military officer, a private security guard, and the two migrants accused of starting the fire—still face charges of homicide and assault, most remain free pending trial.
Critics argue that closing the case against Garduño protects institutional power at the expense of justice. Lawyers for the victims have made it clear that they will appeal the decision. They contend that court-ordered reparative measures have been handled inadequately, with the migration institute itself paying partial funds rather than holding responsible individuals personally liable.
The closure of this case highlights the ongoing impunity surrounding migrant safety in Mexico. Watchdog organizations continue to demand structural overhauls of detention facilities to ensure that human lives take precedence over bureaucratic negligence.
