Civil invisibility and structural exclusion in Mexico

This academic paper provides a comprehensive, multi-dimensional analysis of the phenomenon of civil invisibility in Mexico, defined as the lack of birth registration and official identity documentation. The study argues that this condition is not merely an administrative failure but a profound mechanism of structural exclusion that perpetuates cycles of poverty and marginalization. Through a rigorous historical-legal, cultural-political, technological, and socio-economic lens, the research investigates the root causes of this crisis. It traces its origins from the legacy of ecclesiastical registration and the secularization of the state in the 19th century to contemporary barriers such as geographic isolation, institutional deficiencies, cultural discrimination, and the emerging risks associated with digital identity systems like the biometric CURP. The article concludes that guaranteeing the fundamental human right to identity requires a transformative approach, combining robust public policies, sustained investment, inter-institutional coordination, and a firm commitment to human dignity to eradicate this form of systemic exclusion and build a more just and equitable society.