Mexican judge closes the case against immigration chief Francisco Garduño over 2023 Juarez fire
Victims said the ruling amounts to a de facto exoneration, arguing Garduño’s court-ordered reparations were only partly fulfilled and did not fully compensate families.
- On Tuesday, a Mexican judge closed the criminal case against Francisco Garduño, former head of the National Migration Institute , regarding the 2023 fire at a Ciudad Juarez detention center that killed 40 migrants.
- The incident occurred when 70 men were trapped in a locked dormitory on March 27, 2023, at the Ciudad Juarez facility; security personnel ignored cries for help as fire engulfed the area.
- Although the judge ordered Garduño to provide reparations including medical care and a public apology, the Foundation for Justice reported these measures were only partially implemented, with the INM funding damages rather than Garduño.
- Rejecting the closure as a 'de facto exoneration,' the Foundation for Justice announced plans to appeal, arguing the decision confirms that justice in Mexico is selective and denies victims full reparations.
- While Garduño's case is closed, six other individuals including immigration agents and a private security guard remain charged with homicide and assault, keeping the broader legal proceedings regarding the deadly fire active.
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25 Articles
Associated Press News
Mexican judge closes the case against immigration chief Francisco Garduño over 2023 Juarez fire
A Mexican judge has closed the case against Francisco Garduño, former head of the country’s immigration agency, related to the 2023 fire at a Ciudad Juárez detention center.
A Mexican judge exonerated Francisco Garduño, a former head of the immigration agency, of the crime of unlawful exercise of public service and omission of obligations in the fire of a detention center in 2023, in which 40 migrants died and about thirty were injured, considering that the measures to repair the damage were complied with, something rejected by the victims, who will appeal the decision.
Claudia Sheinbaum claims that a thorough investigation led to the exoneration of Francisco Garduño.
Chihuahua, Chih., The former commissioner of the National Institute of Migration (INM), Francisco Garduño Yáñez, was exonerated from the criminal case 237/2023 for the crime of unlawful public service, opened after the fire on the premises of the international bridge Lerdo, which occurred on March 27, 2023, where 40 migrants died and 27 were injured.
After his appearance, a judge cancelled the trial of Francisco Garduño, a former head of INM, for a fire at the Estación Migratoria in Chihuahua.
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