Surge in Irregular Migration Amid Decline in Asylum Applications in Mexico
Asylum applications in Mexico dropped 44% in 2024, with just 78,975 applicants, while irregular migration surged by 132%, reaching historic levels. Despite fewer applications, migrant congestion in areas like Tapachula persists, reflecting a rise in undocumented migration amidst anticipated U.S. policy changes. Activists note that long wait times discourage asylum applications, urging swift governmental response to ongoing migratory challenges.
Recent statistics indicate a significant decline in asylum applications in Mexico, with numbers plummeting nearly 44% in 2024, totaling 78,975 seekers. In contrast, the previous year recorded an unprecedented 140,720 applications, according to the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR). Notably, the largest groups of asylum seekers originate from Honduras, Cuba, and Haiti, with Haitian applicants numbering 10,853 for the year.
In a stark juxtaposition, irregular migration has hit historic peaks in Mexico, with over 925,000 migrants detected from January to August 2024, marking an increase of approximately 132% year-on-year. Tapachula, a prominent city near the Central American border, continues to face migratory congestion, housing nearly two-thirds of the nation’s migrant cases, approximately 50,742 individuals.
Human rights advocate Hector Martínez Estrada remarks that the reduction in asylum applications does not equate to a true decline in migration. Instead, it reflects the growing impatience of migrants facing extensive wait times for asylum decisions. As migrants rush to reach the United States ahead of potential changes in administration policies, many reconsider their options between staying in Mexico or continuing to the north. The Mexican authorities have pledged support for those wishing to remain, yet have refrained from granting asylum to those solely seeking documentation for transit to the U.S.
The migration landscape in Mexico is significantly affected by various socio-political factors, including instability in the migrants’ countries of origin. During 2024, asylum applications in Mexico experienced a considerable decrease, yet irregular migration soared, indicating a complex interplay between migrant intentions and government response. The Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR) has reported declining approval rates amid growing migration pressures at borders. Furthermore, the anticipation of new U.S. immigration policies under President Donald Trump has prompted migrants to expedite their transit. Activists highlight the challenges faced by migrants, including long processing times and the psychological toll of uncertainty regarding their legal status.
In summary, while the number of asylum applications in Mexico has dramatically declined in 2024, irregular migration has surged to unprecedented levels. This contradiction highlights ongoing challenges faced by migrants, including lengthy bureaucratic processes and the urgency to migrate before potential policy shifts in the U.S. The efforts of Mexican authorities to address these issues remain critically important, especially in the face of evolving migratory patterns and pressures at the southern border.
Original Source: www.haitilibre.com
