On 12 May 2000 a representative of the Mexican Secretariat of External Relations in Mexico City stated that the Secretariat of External Relations, the department responsible for issuing passports, does not conduct a background check with law enforcement agencies before issuing a passport, but if a person has serious legal problems, it is likely that he or she will be the object of a Judicial Restriction (Arraigo Judicial), issued either by the Public Ministry, or by the Procurator General of the Republic, or by a judge. If such a document is issued, it will be indicated on the Secretariat of External Relations' computer system, and the person will not be issued a passport.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Secretariat of External Relations, Mexico City. 12 May 2000. Telephone interview.