A Cuban in Tapachula makes his way as a bricklayer after being denied asylum in the United States.

Carlos Rodríguez, a Cuban who arrived in Mexico with the hope of crossing the border to establish himself in the United States, suffered a harsh setback of fate and had to start his life project in Tapachula.

Rodríguez's asylum request in the United States was denied after crossing the border irregularly and being returned to Mexico. The Cuban chose to start working as a mason in Tapachula, starting from scratch, rather than returning to his homeland.

"I have not had any problems in my country. I left seeking better life opportunities, but asylum is reserved for those who cannot return to their place of origin, and that's why they denied it to me," Rodríguez said in an interview with Diario del Sur.

Many Cuban migrants arrive in Tapachula and have to spend long periods there waiting for CBP One appointments, or for the documents that allow them to move within Mexico.

What should be a city of transit is gradually becoming a place where thousands of foreigners end up acclimating, reinventing themselves professionally, and putting down roots.

In 2023, Tapachula received approximately 77,750 asylum requests, but only 10% of the applicants remained in the city. The majority of the migrants continued their journey northwards in Mexico, heading towards the border.

Ninety percent of asylum seekers in Mexico leave Tapachula due to various factors, including the chaotic situation in the administration of public services and the presence of criminal gangs such as the Maras Salvatruchas.

Many Cubans dream of reaching the United States, but in my case, I just want a place to live peacefully with my family, as things in Cuba are very complicated due to the government's policies," Rodríguez commented, highlighting that he feels happy and free in Tapachula.

Recent statistics from the National Institute of Migration (INM) indicate that between January and May 2024, 27,404 Cubans were registered, a migratory flow that seems to show no signs of stopping.

Once in Tapachula, all Cubans feel free and that is more than enough for me," Rodriguez stated, who now looks towards the future with hope.