Grupo Beta's primary role is to protect the Human Rights of migrants regardless of their immigration status [1][2] as stated in their motto, “vocation, humanitarianism and loyalty.” Members of Grupos Beta are generally selected from local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
[3] They are then given extensive training that primarily emphasizes providing first aid, social services,[4] access to shelters, search and rescue, and have specialized training in water and air rescue services.
[5] After their promotions and intense training, members of Grupos Beta earn a pay increase, a life insurance policy, and they get 15 vacation days every six months.
[7] 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.
“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.
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.
“[8] Amnesty International and other human rights groups are concerned about the violence migrants face while en 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.
[10] 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 unaccompanied minors and youth.
GRUPOS BETA also arrange for shelters for those in need of long term assistance, or who can no longer continue on their journey.
Officials of Child Protection 'OFICIALES DE PROTECCIÓN A LA INFANCIA' (OPIS) are Mexican Federal Migration Agents whose main task is to ensure respect for the human rights of children and adolescent migrants, especially children unaccompanied by an adult.
Currently, the National Institute Migration (INM) has 543 OPIS in the 32 regional offices.
[11] The recent mass migration of unaccompanied children from Central America was reported as early as 2009 and increased in 2014 which has led to many children being at risk to be lost, injured or at risk of being trafficked by criminals, sex traffickers, gangs, corrupt officials and drug cartels.
Mexico has provided a list of GRUPOS BETA where the missing can be reported, lists checked for process of reunification with relatives, Embassy services for unaccompanied children in care, shelter placements and the process of returning remains to next of kin for burial.
GRUPOS BETA report that they are seeing more transitory migrants that are children, women and older men who are potentially at risk as they make their journey north.
2708 entre 27 y 28, Col. Burócratas C. P. 83450, San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora Tel.
Álvaro Obregón s/n, Puete Internacional Puerta México, Col. Jardín 1er piso C. P. 87330, Matamoros, Tamaulipas Tel.
130 esquina con Novena Poniente, Col. Barrio Candelaria C. P. 30060 Comitán, Chiapas Tel.
722 entre 14 y 16 Sur, Barrio de Santo Tomás C. P. 30450, Arriaga, Chiapas Tel.