Securing asylum in Mexico opens doors for migrants, including a significant number of Cubans, to access essential benefits such as official documents like CURP and RFC, formal employment, and healthcare services. This has led many to settle in Mexico, abandoning the perilous journey northward to the United States.
Lisandra, a Cuban who applied for asylum in Mexico, embodies this shift in mindset. She shared with UnoTV, "I have no intention of going to the U.S. I have no family there. I've reached Mexico, and this is where I plan to stay." Like many others, Lisandra recognizes the opportunities Mexico provides to build a new life without the uncertainties of the northern route.
Rising Asylum Applications Reflect Migratory Shift
The alteration in migration patterns is evident in statistics from the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR), which reported receiving over 66,000 asylum applications from January to October 2024. Cubans, along with Hondurans and Haitians, are leading the numbers. These figures highlight the increasing interest among migrants to legally establish themselves in Mexico, driven by the prospect of accessing vital rights and services.
COMAR provides asylum seekers with an opportunity to integrate into Mexican society, provided they submit their application within the first 30 days of entering the country. This process involves submitting a written explanation of their asylum reasons. Once approved, migrants can work legally, enroll in the healthcare system, and obtain benefits that foster a stable and secure life.
Challenges in the U.S. Prompt Migrants to Consider Mexico
For many Cubans like Lisandra, the decision to remain in Mexico stems partly from the increasing difficulties of migrating to the United States, which include stringent immigration policies and the dangers of the journey. In contrast, Mexico presents a more feasible option for those seeking to rebuild their lives away from the unpredictability of their home countries.
President-elect Donald Trump has reiterated his plans to enact mass deportations in the United States, claiming that these intentions have led, in his words, to the "disintegration" of migrant caravans heading toward the U.S. On Monday, Trump announced his plans to declare a national emergency and utilize the military to execute his mass deportation strategy.
Additionally, the Republican has expressed his determination to enforce an immigration plan that would significantly restrict migrant entry into the United States. This includes ending the humanitarian parole program for Cubans, Venezuelans, Nicaraguans, and Haitians, as well as discontinuing the appointment system of the CBP One mobile application.