Para evitar que los migrantes se conviertan en víctimas del crimen organizado, la Secretaría de Gobernación y la Secretaría de Seguridad Pública de México firmaron un convenio para custodiar indocumentados en los lugares donde serán alojados y en su traslado, reportó La Jornada de México. Estas dos dependencias también intercambiarán información y realizarán operativos conjuntos.

Además, el nuevo sistema de custodia busca eliminar la corrupción que se ha detectado dentro la Institución Nacional de Migración. Sin embargo, no se infomó "el número de efectivos de la SSP que colaborarán con INM, los lugares en donde estarán asignados ni la forma en que cubrirán los operativos de verificación migratoria, especialmente en la frontera sur".

Reader Matthew S. sent this cartoon in.  (By Gary McCoy, CagleCartoons.com)

A pilot self-deportation program was launched today by the ICE. Here are some fast facts, courtesy of the AP—

PARTICIPATING CITIES: Chicago; Santa Ana, Calif.; San Diego; Phoenix and Charlotte, N.C.

WHO QUALIFIES FOR THE PROGRAM? Immigrants who have ignored deportation orders to leave the U.S. and do not have a criminal history. Federal Immigration officials estimate 457,000 are eligible nationwide.

HOW LONG WILL THE PROGRAM RUN? It started Tuesday and runs through Aug. 22.

WHERE DO PARTICIPANTS REPORT? Local ICE offices. Individuals are asked to bring whatever form of identification they have, such as an expired passport. A hot line is also available for more information: 1-866-880-6344

And Chicago public radio provides us with more context—

(Ken Carlos, ICE official:) "They're able to come in to avoid detention because they're going to come in and they're working with ICE. They're going to be able to work with their families to make arrangements to go home so it's not where all of a sudden theres a knock on the door and they're being arrested."

Carlson says it isn't clear how many people might take advantage of the program between now and the August 22 deadline.

But immigration rights advocates say it won't be many.Fred Tsao is policy director for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. He says the program offers no incentives for fugitives to surrender to ICE, rather than just leave the country on their own.