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TIME EXTENSION FOR THE 2001 MIGRATORY REGULARIZATION PROGRAM

 

By: Romelio Hernández; Hernández, Mérigo & Hurtado S.C.

 

On August 31, 2001, the Federal Government published a decree on the Official Gazette, which modifies the 2001 Migratory Regularization Program announced just last March by the National Immigration Institute. The intention of this new decree is to extend the term previously granted —now doing so until October 31, 2001— to non-Mexican citizens living in Mexico without authorization, to reorganize their migratory status according to the Program’s Guidelines.

For those of us who are unfamiliar with these new measures and benefits, the Migratory Regularization Program (MRP) has its goal set on benefiting all those foreign citizens who entered the country prior to January 1st, 2000, have no proper migratory documents or authorizations, and are in both of the following situations:

Has a job opportunity or possibility of developing a lawful and honest activity; and

Proves to have a family liaison with a Mexican citizen or any foreign citizen legally established in Mexico.

An additional period of 90 days will be granted if requested to propose and exhibit documents that support the petition and demonstrate accomplishments of the prerequisites. Once the petition is filed, and a filing system has been assigned and completely organized for the petitioner, the National Immigration Institute will provide a formal resolution, responding and according to the request. On such situation, a Non-Immigrant authorization could be granted if proper requirements are meet.

There are some circumstances under which foreign citizens are discourage from filing a petition for migratory regulation under the MRP; however, some other suggestions or options should be available. Those are non-immigrants who: