Number of migrants detained in Mexico surged 78% in January

The number of migrants detained in Mexico surged 78% in January

MEXICO CITY -- The number of migrants detained in Mexico surged 78% in January from a year ago, Mexico’s National Immigration Institute said Monday.

It said 16,740 migrants, mainly from Central America, were detained between Jan. 1 and Jan. 30. That compares with the 9,406 people detained without proper documents in the same period of 2021.

It was unclear if the number of migrants was less last year because of last winter’s brutal coronavirus surge.

Children and youths under age 18 made up 14.5% of the migrants detained, and a total of 780 were found to be unaccompanied by family members, the agency said.