Obtaining asylum in Mexico allows migrants, including many Cubans, to access essential benefits such as official documents (CURP and RFC), formal employment, and healthcare services, prompting them to consider settling there instead of pursuing the irregular route to the United States.
Lisandra, a Cuban who sought asylum in Mexico, reflects this change in mindset: “No, I have no interest in going to the United States. I have nothing to do there. In fact, I don’t have any family in the United States. I’ve come this far, and this is where I’ll stay,” UnoTV reported.
Like many others, Lisandra recognizes the opportunities that Mexico offers her to build a new life without the uncertainty of the journey north.
This change in migration routes is reflected in data from the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR), which reported to UnoTV that it received over 66,000 asylum requests between January and October 2024, with Cubans, Hondurans, and Haitians as the main applicants.
These figures highlight the increasing interest of migrants in establishing themselves legally in Mexico, driven by the opportunity to access fundamental rights and services.
COMAR provides asylum seekers with an opportunity to integrate into Mexican society, as long as they submit their application within the first 30 days of their arrival in the country.
This process includes submitting a written statement explaining the reasons for seeking asylum. If approved, migrants can work legally, register in the healthcare system, and access benefits that allow them to build a stable and secure life.
The decision of many Cubans, like Lisandra, to stay in Mexico is also influenced by the increasing challenges of migrating to the United States, including strict immigration policies and the dangers of the journey.
In contrast, Mexico offers a more accessible option for those looking to rebuild their lives away from the uncertainty they face in their home countries.
President-elect Donald Trump has reaffirmed his intention to implement a policy of mass deportations in the United States, stating that these remarks have led, in his own words, to the "disintegration" of the caravans of migrants heading towards the country.
Trump announced on Monday that he intends to declare a national emergency and employ the military to carry out his plan for mass deportations.
Furthermore, the Republican has expressed his intention to implement an immigration plan that significantly restricts the entry of migrants into the United States, including the elimination of the humanitarian parole program for Cubans, Venezuelans, Nicaraguans, and Haitians, as well as the appointment system of the CBP One mobile application.
Filed under:
