Mexico Arrests Outspoken Immigration Advocate on Eve of Migrant Caravan, Drawing Accusations of Intimidation

Mexican federal authorities arrested prominent immigration advocate Luis García Villagrán on Tuesday in Tapachula, Chiapas, a day before he was set to lead a caravan of roughly 1,500 migrants toward Mexico City, where there are more opportunities for work, since the Trump administration has shut off the possibility of requesting asylum at the U.S. border.

The timing and nature of his arrest have sparked allegations from activists and migrants that the Mexican government is attempting to suppress dissent and intimidate those demanding improved conditions for migrants.

According to The Associated Press, a federal official who spoke on condition of anonymity said García Villagrán was arrested on suspicion of crimes related to his work with migrants, though details remain unclear.

His family confirmed to Mexican outlet Proceso that García Villagrán was detained by federal agents while returning home from a meeting with migrants, and later taken to the local office of the Attorney General's Office in the Soconusco region.

Irineo Mújica, director of Pueblo Sin Fronteras and a longtime associate of García Villagrán, condemned the arrest in a video posted on social media, accusing the government of Claudia Sheinbaum of criminalizing humanitarian work. "The only 'crime' of Luis Villagrán is defending those who have no money or voice," Mújica said, calling the arrest an "unacceptable abuse" and pointing to systemic corruption within Mexico's immigration system as the real issue, stating, "If you want justice, follow the money."

García Villagrán, coordinator of the Centro de Dignificación Humana A.C., is a frequent critic of Mexico's immigration policy and has repeatedly denounced the National Migration Institute (INM) and the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR) for corruption, including the alleged sale of documentation to migrants, as reported by proces.

He has organized multiple migrant caravans in recent years and had recently announced plans for another, calling it an "exodus" aimed at confronting corruption and lack of services in Tapachula. In recent days, he said, immigration agents and National Guard troops had been carrying out operations in places where migrants gather, calling it an attempt to intimidate them, as reported by AP.