Full Breakdown
Mexican Judge Closes Criminal Case Against Former Immigration Chief Over 2023 Juárez Detention-Center Fire
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event and Legal Outcome
On Tuesday, a Mexican judge ordered the closure of the criminal case against Francisco Garduño, who headed the National Migration Institute (INM) from 2019 until 2025. The decision declared that the remedial measures ordered after the March 27, 2023 fire at the Ciudad Juárez detention center had been fulfilled, effectively ending the prosecution for abuse of public office and dereliction of duty. The ruling does not constitute a final acquittal, as the victims plan to appeal the judgment.
Background of the 2023 Detention-Center Fire
On March 27, 2023, approximately 70 men were confined in a locked dormitory with inadequate ventilation and limited water at the Ciudad Juárez immigration facility on the U.S. border. A small group set fire to mattresses in protest; within seconds, smoke filled the area. Security footage showed guards leaving the scene without responding to cries for help, while women held in a separate cell were released. The fire killed 40 migrants and injured 30, most of whom were Central Americans and Venezuelans.
Official Measures and Ongoing Obligations
The court had previously ordered Garduño to:
- Compensate the victims’ families,
- Provide free specialized medical care,
- Issue a public apology,
- Conduct human-rights training for migration personnel, and
- Guarantee that similar incidents would not recur.
Implementation was partial: payments were made by the INM rather than Garduño himself, and families have not received full reparations or clear information on accessing medical services. The apology was described by observers as formal rather than substantive.
Reactions and Next Steps
The Foundation for Justice, an NGO representing several victims, condemned the decision as evidence of selective justice and warned that it undermines guarantees against future abuses. Lawyer Miguel Zenteno noted that the injunction concerning reparations remains pending and that the appeal process is expected to continue. In addition to Garduño, another former INM director faces the same charges, and six immigration agents—including a military officer, a private security guard, and the two migrants accused of starting the fire—are charged with homicide and assault, though most remain free pending trial.