Asylum-seekers turn to Mexico as US doors close

In response to tightening asylum restrictions in the United States, many asylum-seekers are reconsidering their plans to migrate and are opting to seek protection in Mexico. Angelica Delgado, a Cuban architect who fled to Mexico in December, aimed to seek asylum in the U.S., but now faces the reality of remaining in Mexico, stating that returning to Cuba would pose significant risks due to the government's crackdown on dissent. This shift in migration patterns is influenced by the ongoing changes in U.S. asylum policies, notably those enacted by former President Donald Trump, which established harsher measures against asylum-seekers. Moreover, many migrants who had initially used the CBP One app to secure asylum appointments in the U.S. now find that such opportunities have vanished, prompting a rising interest in securing asylum directly in Mexico instead. Asylum applications in Mexico have seen a tremendous increase over the years, growing from 1,295 in 2013 to a staggering 140,982 in 2023. The trend reflects the increasing desperation among migrants from countries like Cuba, Venezuela, Haiti, and Afghanistan, who are fleeing dire situations exacerbated by violence, political instability, and economic crises. Following the implementation of Trump's policies, many individuals like Harry Luzardo—who had previously sought refuge in countries like Ecuador and Chile—are now making plans to settle in Mexico as their primary option for safety and stability. Previous routes to the United States have also become more complicated, with the perception of a growing anti-immigrant environment contributing to this shift in aspirations. The asylum-seekers are now gathering in Mexico City's refugee agency, grappling with the fallout of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration policies that have created a bottleneck in asylum processing. This resulted in long lines of hopeful migrants waiting to navigate the asylum system within Mexico instead of the U.S. The Biden administration's policies have also experienced scrutiny, creating uncertainties that further push individuals toward applying for protection in Mexico. For many, the dream of reaching the U.S. has become less viable, and the focus has shifted toward establishing a new life within Mexico, contributing to a significant rise in asylum requests. Despite the increase in applications, there remain challenges for migrants in Mexico, including the recognition of professional qualifications, financial instability, and safety concerns in a country that has simultaneously faced its struggles with migration and asylum themselves. President Claudia Sheinbaum has responded to the increasing demand for asylum processing by allocating more resources to agencies managing migration, reflecting an effort to enhance the capacity to handle the surge in asylum requests. Overall, the situation illustrates a dynamic landscape of migration in the Americas as global events continue to push individuals to seek refuge and the evolving policies reshape their options and realities.