MEXICO CITY – Mexico's federal Human Rights Commission acknowledged yesterday that the country mistreats many immigrants – mainly Central Americans – and uses some of the same methods on them that it opposes in the United States.

The admission comes as Mexican Foreign Relations Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez called on Latin American countries to unite against an immigration enforcement bill passed Friday by the U.S. House of Representatives.

The bill proposes making illegal entry to the U.S. a felony and enlisting military and local law enforcement to help stop illegal entrants. Officials in Mexico City acknowledged that Mexico already does both.

"(Mexico's) population law does include prison terms for illegally entering the country . . . and this is something that has been the subject of constant complaints," said Mauricio Farah, a national inspector for the rights commission.

Article 123 of Mexico's population law states that "foreigners illegally entering the country will be subject to punishment of up to two years in prison" and fines of up to $28,220. Such prison sentences are rarely imposed in practice.

The commission presented a report that found overcrowding, poor treatment and generally bad conditions at many of the country's 51 immigration detention centers and 68 other holding facilities. The detention areas hold mainly Central American immigrants before they are deported back to their home countries. The facilities often lack working restrooms, blankets, sleeping mats, adequate food and medical care.

The commission urged the government to improve conditions and set clear standards for such facilities.

While acknowledging the mistreatment, José Luis Soberanes, president of the rights commission, said the U.S. proposal to build 700 miles of additional fences or walls along the U.S.-Mexican border is "absurd."