Mexico has seen a steep decline of 44% in asylum applications during 2024, while irregular migration has surged by 132%. The COMAR data highlights disparities in application processing and the increasing challenges faced by migrants motivated to expedite their journeys, particularly in response to potential future immigration policies.
Recent data indicates a significant decline in asylum applications within Mexico, which dropped by approximately 44% in 2024. The Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR) reports 78,975 asylum seekers or refugees this year, compared to a peak of 140,720 in 2023. Notably, while a considerable number of applications have diminished, irregular migration reached unprecedented heights, with over 925,000 migrants reported in this category between January and August 2024, marking a staggering 132% increase on a year-to-year basis.
The major contributors to the asylum requests include individuals from Honduras (27,888), Cuba (17,884), Haiti (10,853), and several others. However, COMAR was able to analyze less than half of these submissions, approving approximately 74% of the 33,844 evaluated cases. The ongoing migration crisis is especially acute in Tapachula, where straining infrastructures are recorded, with the city housing nearly two-thirds of Mexico’s migrant population.
Hector Martínez Estrada, an activist representing the Collective of Human Rights Defenders on the Southern Border, noted that decreased asylum requests may not necessarily reflect less migration but rather highlight the frustrations migrants face with lengthy processing times. Many migrants are now opting to bypass COMAR procedures, preferring to expedite their travel to the United States amidst fears of changing immigration policies under the potential future administration of Donald Trump. Furthermore, Martínez Estrada emphasized that despite the reduction in applications, migrant processing and support systems have shown little improvement.
While the Mexican government asserts its commitment to assist migrants wishing to remain within its borders, it continues to deny asylum to those primarily seeking documentation to pursue entry into the United States.
The phenomenon of irregular migration has garnered significant attention, particularly regarding the increasing number of individuals attempting to reach the United States through Mexico. Various socio-economic factors, violence, and political instability in home countries drive this exodus, with migrants often facing considerable hardship in transit. The data released by COMAR provides insight into shifting trends in asylum applications, reflecting the challenges within Mexico’s immigration system, especially during periods of political change. The role of human rights organizations remains crucial in advocating for the rights of migrants caught in precarious situations, as many are navigating complex immigration pathways under uncertain legal circumstances. Activists maintain that prolonged waiting periods and inadequate support systems contribute to ongoing crises at border towns, which are now effectively saturated with migrants seeking refuge.
In conclusion, while the decline in asylum applications in Mexico may seem positive at first glance, it is essential to understand the context behind these numbers. Irregular migration continues to surge, underscoring systemic issues within the asylum process and migrant support systems. Activists highlight the challenges faced by migrants, who often opt to avoid lengthy procedures in favor of quick access to the United States, underscoring the profound challenges that remain in addressing migration effectively.
Original Source: www.haitilibre.com
