Mexico | Immigration | Reform proposal to the National Institute of Immigration in Mexico


February 26, 2026

Immigration

Mexico | Reform proposal to the National Institute of Immigration in Mexico

****La versión en español sigue a la versión en inglés****

Summary

On February 19, 2026, during the morning press conference in Mexico City, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that she will shortly be sending to the Congress a legal reform initiative to modify the name and legal nature of the National Institute of Immigration (INM), with the aim of expanding its functions and strengthening the protection of migrants in Mexico.

The detail

The main proposal is based on the following points:

  • Name change: the institute will be renamed to “Instituto de Movilidad Humana” (Institute for Human Mobility) to reflect a broader focus on the mobility of people beyond simple migration.
  • Objective of the reform: the initiative aims to ensure the effective operation of the agency, preserve the full exercise of its current functions, and reinforce measures designed to protect migrants within Mexican territory.
  • This initiative also seeks to leave behind the punitive approach and redefine the attention to immigrants focusing on human and mobility rights.
  • Motivation for the change: Sheinbaum explained that the term “migration” is limited, and that the new name better recognizes the reality of human mobility in the country due to several reasons.

We will be following up on any updates and/or changes that may arise in the coming days.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions regarding this information.

Contact us

For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:

Vialto Partners Immigration Team


Inmigración

México | Propuesta de reforma al Instituto Nacional de Migración en Mexico 

Resumen

El pasado 19 de febrero de 2026 durante la la conferencia de prensa matutina en Ciudad de México, la Presidenta Claudia Sheinbaum anunció que enviará en los próximos días al Congreso de la Unión una iniciativa de reforma al nombre y naturaleza jurídica del Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM), con el fin de ampliar sus funciones y reforzar la protección de las personas migrantes en México.

El detalle

La propuesta se basa principalmente en los siguientes puntos:

  • Cambio de nombre: el instituto pasaría a llamarse “Instituto de Movilidad Humana”, para reflejar un enfoque más amplio sobre la movilidad de personas más allá de la simple migración.
  • Objetivo de la reforma: la iniciativa busca garantizar el buen funcionamiento de la dependencia, asegurar todas sus funciones actuales y fortalecer las medidas de protección a migrantes dentro del territorio mexicano.
  • La iniciativa busca también dejar atrás el enfoque punitivo y redefinir la atención a los migrantes con un enfoque en los derechos humanos y de movilidad.
  • Motivación del cambio: Sheinbaum explicó que el término “migración” resulta limitado, y que la denominación renovada reconoce mejor la realidad de la movilidad humana en el país.

Daremos seguimiento a cualquier actualización y/o cambio que pudiera surgir en los próximos días.

Por favor, no duden en contactarnos si tienen alguna pregunta respecto de esta información.

Contáctenos

Para obtener más información sobre lo anterior, comuníquese con su representante de Vialto Partners o, alternativamente:

Vialto Partners equipo migratorio

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