Mexico Passes Law to Introduce Biometric National ID to Help Find Missing Persons

Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies passed a new reform on Monday following its earlier approval by the Senate. The legislation, proposed by President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration, establishes a biometric identification system known as CURP, which will serve as both a physical and digital national ID.

The CURP ID will include fingerprint data and a photograph, enabling authorities to conduct real-time searches for missing persons. The system will be linked to a unified identity platform and connected to forensic and administrative databases.

Mexico’s ongoing crisis of disappearances has led to the rise of numerous civilian search groups, often formed by the families of the missing. These groups frequently carry out investigations themselves, sometimes in dangerous areas controlled by criminal organizations.