In 2024, Mexico saw a 44% decrease in asylum applications, with 78,975 requests filed. However, irregular migration soared to over 925,000 migrants, a 132% increase compared to previous years. Activists point to long wait times as a factor deterring asylum applications. The congestion in Tapachula highlights ongoing challenges at the southern border, while many migrants rush to enter the U.S. before potential policy changes.
In 2024, Mexico experienced a notable decrease in formal asylum applications, with requests dropping by approximately 44% compared to the previous year. The Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR) reported that 78,975 individuals sought asylum or refugee status, down from a record 140,720 in 2023. Despite this decline, irregular migration surged, indicating an alarming trend. From January to August 2024, more than 925,000 migrants entered Mexico irregularly—an increase of nearly 132% compared to any prior year.
COMAR’s assessment revealed that only 33,844 of the total applicants were evaluated, and of those, a significant 74% received approval for their claims. Irregular migration continues to overflow borders, particularly in Tapachula, where large congregations of migrants seek advancement toward the United States. Activist Hector Martínez Estrada highlighted that decreased asylum requests do not correlate with a reduced influx of migrants; instead, lengthy processing times have deterred many from pursuing formal applications, prompting a rush towards the U.S.
The situation surrounding migration in Mexico is complex, influenced by various regional factors including political instability, economic hardship, and violence in migrants’ countries of origin, such as Haiti and Honduras. Over recent years, Mexico has seen a surge in both regular and irregular migration, prompting the Mexican government to implement policies aimed at managing and assisting these populations. However, the process remains hindered by bureaucratic delays and an uneven application of asylum procedures, leading many migrants to circumvent formal channels in hopes of reaching the United States more swiftly.
In summary, while the number of formal asylum applications in Mexico has markedly decreased, irregular migration is escalating at unprecedented rates. Activists denote that lengthy wait times for asylum processing discourage migrants from applying, leading to a significant uptick in unauthorized crossings. The urgency to migrate remains high, particularly with the political changes looming in the United States, making the full scope of migration dynamics in the region a pressing issue for authorities and human rights advocates alike.
Original Source: www.haitilibre.com
