Despite the Méxican Constitution’s formal prohibition of discrimination since 1917, scholars, activists, and ordinary citizens continue to grapple with the enduring imprint of colonial racial hierarchies. The Méxican Constitution of 1917 was a beacon of hope—its promise of equality enshrined in black-and-white legal text, intended to erase centuries of colonial hierarchy and exclusion, particularly to the Spanish and French. Article 1, in particular, declares:
“Any form of discrimination, based on ethnic or national origin, gender, age, disabilities, social condition, health conditions, religion, opinions, sexual preferences, civil status, or any other that undermines human dignity and aims to annul or diminish the rights and freedoms of people, is prohibited.”
On paper, this sweeping language appears to leave no room for prejudice, creating a vision of a modern, inclusive nation.
Yet, as countless scholars and activists attest, the journey from constitutional principle to lived reality is fraught with obstacles. The gap between aspiration and enforcement is stark, and nowhere is this more evident than at the local and state levels of government.
The most recent problem involves the INAPAM card offered to seniors aged 60 and over, which has become increasingly restrictive for foreign residents applying for the card. Even those who were born in México to foreign parents 60-plus years ago are now being told by ill-informed local governments that they will not accept the card from foreigners.
The INAPAM discount cards are just one of the many supplements offered to seniors who are no longer of working age and are surviving on small pensions. The discounts are available on a range of services and products in México, including discounts on water and property taxes.
Under Mexican federal law, foreign holders of both Temporary Resident (Residente Temporal) and Permanent Resident (Residente Permanente) cards, as well as Naturalized Foreigners residing in México, are legally allowed to obtain an INAPAM card.
In Cuernavaca, the debt-ridden offices of SAPAC were the first to illegally refuse to give discounts to all seniors holding an INAPAM card. The SAPAC officials saw this as a way to increase their revenue, even at the expense of older, non-working citizens who, with low pension rates, find it difficult to pay the same price as their working, wealthy neighbors.
And because the city and state governments did nothing to stop SAPAC’s illegalities, other entities are also refusing to accept the INAPAM card. This includes the Predial payments at the Office of Land Management, which has withdrawn its acceptance of the INAPAM card and is no longer listed in the Catalog of Benefits (https://www.gob.mx/inapam/en) as accepting it.
This has led to a great many conversations about the future of the INAPAM card, not only among foreigners but also among Méxican Nationals.
As with pretty much everything in México, the rumors are spreading like wildfire and changing in substance by the minute. On social media platforms, many are asking why rich foreigners should have been given access to the INAPAM program in the first place.
In actuality, most foreigners are not rich, and certainly not in comparison to rich Mexican nationals who not only request an INAPAM card but also use it daily to lower their expenses. After all, why would any Méxican want to pay full price for water and property taxes, even if they are watering several hectares of grass in the garden or paying taxes on a MXN$20 million dollar mansion, just because they have the money?
This is not about foreigners versus nationals; it is about the Méxican Constitution and the rights of all residents, regardless of their country of origin or other prejudice.
Keep in mind that the great majority of the time, it is not the office that is restricting your rights, but the opinion of a worker who has no training and does not know the law or your rights. Always ask to speak to a manager or department head, and be prepared to escalate until you reach someone who understands the law and your rights.
The Méxican Federal Law
Municipalities and States: Under Mexican federal law, individual states and municipalities cannot legally refuse to recognize the validity of the INAPAM card, though employees of many local administrative offices do so in practice.
Private Businesses: Private establishments are not legally obligated to accept the INAPAM card. Discounts are negotiated by the federal government, but individual shops and transport lines frequently choose not to honor them.
Official Federal Mandates: The INAPAM credential is a federal program. When it comes to state-run services like public transportation, officially sanctioned medical facilities, or regional registries, the federal guidelines apply uniformly.
State-by-State Discretion: Many discounts (such as property taxes, predial taxes, and municipal water bills) are managed directly at the municipal level. Local governments often create their own criteria and occasionally impose restrictions, but must honor and accept the INAPAM under Méxican Federal Law.
If you are experiencing issues, you can file a formal complaint or seek assistance directly through the Secretaría de Bienestar who oversees the INAPAM service. https://www.gob.mx/bienestar
Rights Violations
If you feel your rights have been violated, there are Government Offices that are available to take your report. The government office you should contact depends on who is violating the law (a private individual or a government employee) and which constitutional right was violated, as Mexico does not have a single umbrella office for constitutional complaints.
1. Human Rights Violations by Government Authorities
If a public servant, military member, or government official has violated constitutional rights (such as due process, equality, or freedom of expression), you must contact the National Human Rights Commission (Comisión Nacional de los Derechos Humanos – CNDH) at https://cndh.org.mx/
Scope: Investigates federal public authorities or systemic state-level failures.
Online Filing: You can submit a formal complaint directly via the CNDH Citizen Attention Portal at https://atencionciudadana.cndh.org.mx/
Phone: Call 800-715-2000 (Toll-free within Mexico).
Note: For local or municipal police/authorities, file the complaint with the specific State Human Rights Commission (CEDH/CODHEM) of that entity.
2. Criminal Violations by Individuals
If an individual is breaking federal or local laws derived from the Constitution (such as theft, fraud, assault, or organized crime), it is treated as a statutory crime. You must report them to the appropriate prosecutor:
Federal Crimes: File a complaint (denuncia) with the Attorney General’s Office (Fiscalía General de la República – FGR) at https://fgr.org.mx/en/FGR/Contacto
Local Crimes: Go to the nearest Public Prosecutor’s Office (Ministerio Público) or local state fiscal agency. https://cuernavaca.gob.mx/?tag=ministerio-publico
3. Consumer Rights Violations by Businesses
If a business or private provider is violating your constitutional consumer protection rights:
Office: Contact the Federal Anti-Consumer Fraud Agency (Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor – PROFECO) at https://www.gob.mx/profeco/en
Online Filing: Submit disputes electronically using the PROFECO Concilianet Platform.
4. Administrative Corruption or Public Misconduct
If the issue involves a government office or official engaging in corruption, bribery, or administrative non-compliance:
Office: Contact the Secretariat of the Civil Service (Secretaría de la Función Pública – SFP). https://www.gob.mx/buengobierno
Online Filing: Report acts of corruption anonymously via the centralized Gob.mx Citizen Complaint Portal in english at at https://www-gob-mx
Author: G. William Hood
Author, Columnist, Educator, Epistemologist, and Publisher
