Former Mexico Immigration Chief Apologizes for Deadly Ciudad Juarez Detention Center Fire

Apology Issued Under Court Order

Francisco Garduño Yáñez, the former commissioner of Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM), has publicly apologized for a devastating fire at a migrant detention center in Ciudad Juarez that claimed the lives of 40 migrants and injured 27 others. The apology, delivered at the Museum of Mexico City, was a condition imposed by a judge, allowing Garduño to avoid prison time following charges related to the incident.

Speaking before survivors and relatives of the victims, Garduño expressed his 'deepest apologies for the suffering and harm caused to you and your families, whose lives have changed forever.' He acknowledged that the tragedy was 'unacceptable' and that the victims' human rights were violated.

Details of the Tragic Fire

The fire erupted on March 27, 2023, at the Ciudad Juárez Temporary Shelter, an INM facility located near the U.S. border. The blaze allegedly started when migrants, protesting their detention conditions and impending deportation, set fire to mattresses. Security camera footage from inside the facility showed INM personnel fleeing the spreading flames and smoke, leaving detainees locked in their cells without attempting to release them.

The 40 male migrants who died were from various Central and South American countries, including:

• 1 Colombian
• 1 Ecuadorian
• 12 Salvadorans
• 28 Guatemalans
• 13 Hondurans
• 12 Venezuelans

The incident drew international attention and highlighted long-standing allegations of corruption and inhumane conditions within Mexico's migrant detention facilities.

Legal Proceedings and Public Reaction

Garduño, who was the highest-ranking official charged in connection with the fire, had criminal charges against him suspended in January 2025. This suspension was contingent upon several conditions, including completing human rights courses, ensuring victim compensation, and issuing the public apology. Prosecutors had accused top immigration officials of failing to 'watch over, protect and ensure the safety of the people and facilities in their charge,' citing a 'pattern of irresponsibility.'

While Garduño's apology was a requirement of the court, he stopped short of accepting direct personal responsibility for the incident, instead calling for accountability and reparations. Human rights organizations, including four groups that issued a joint statement, described the apology as a 'symbolic first step' but emphasized that it 'does not resolve the demands for justice or guarantee that similar events will not be repeated.' The Mexican government has reportedly paid approximately 3.5 million pesos ($190,000) to family members of each of the deceased and injured.

Ongoing Calls for Justice

The tragic fire and the subsequent legal outcomes have intensified calls for greater accountability and systemic changes within Mexico's immigration system. Prosecutors are continuing to pursue charges against two Venezuelan migrants accused of starting the fire, as well as 10 former migration officials and private security guards. Survivors and advocates continue to demand comprehensive justice and improved conditions for migrants in detention, with some victims stating that an apology alone cannot restore their health or address their suffering.