Overlooked and Unprotected : Central American Indigenous Migrant Women in Mexico

Title: 
Overlooked and Unprotected : Central American Indigenous Migrant Women in Mexico
Journal Citation: 
48(4) NEW YORK UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND POLITICS, 1105-1124 (2016)

This article is relevant to research that aims to understand the legal mechanisms which impact Female migrants and Indigenous female migrants from the Northern Triangle of Central America ("NTCA"). The article begins with an overview of the high rate of poverty, violence, and immigration in the NTCA, especially for the people of Guatemala and Honduras. The author then analyzes the rights of Indigenous peoples, including a discussion of Mexico’s commitment to international instruments protecting refugee rights and Mexico’s refugee framework and constitution. The article also discusses Indigenous justice systems and their history in Mexico. The author then applies these legal frameworks to the context of Female Migrants and Indigenous women, finding Mexico’s immigration system insufficient to address their needs. It is largely based on enforcement and is currently underdeveloped. Lastly, the author argues that it is unlikely indigenous legal systems will assist female migrants in the alternative.