During the course of 2024, the number of Cubans who have requested asylum in Mexico has exceeded 11,000, according to the information provided by the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR) on Tuesday.
According to data published on the social network X, Cuba is ranked as the second country with the highest number of asylum seekers, reaching a total of 11,052 migrants, only surpassed by Honduras, which leads with 21,529 applications.
Haitian citizens rank third with 4,916 requests, followed by migrants from El Salvador (4,185), Venezuela (3,055), Guatemala (2,929), Colombia (1,533), Nicaragua (666), Ecuador (632) and Chile (298).
There has been a steady increase in asylum applications from Cubans. In the period between January and July 2024, a total of 9,914 Cubans in an irregular situation sought protection from the Mexican authorities on their way to the United States, according to the report. Cubanet.
Opening of the Tapachula Multi-Service Center
In response to the growing number of requests, COMAR has launched new initiatives to improve assistance to migrants.
The imminent opening of the Tapachula Multi-Service Centre, located in the main border city in southern Mexico, has been announced. The centre is 60% complete. This centre will offer services similar to those already operating in Tijuana and Monterrey, where the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and several civil organisations provide support.
In 2023, Mexico received more than 140,000 asylum applications, placing it among the five countries with the highest number of requests worldwide, according to UNHCR’s annual report.
The report reveals that people of more than 100 nationalities sought refuge in Mexico that year. Haiti topped the list with 31% of applications, followed by Honduras with 30%, Cuba with 13%, and nations such as Guatemala, El Salvador and Venezuela, each with 4%. During that year, COMAR processed documents for 18,386 Cuban migrants.
#Refuge #thousands #Cubans
Cuban Asylum Seekers in Mexico Reach Record High: 11,000 Request Protection in 2024
The number of Cuban asylum seekers in Mexico has reached an all-time high, with over 11,000 requests filed in 2024 alone, according to the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR). This surge in asylum applications has made Cuba the second country with the highest number of asylum seekers in Mexico, following Honduras.
Cuban Asylum Seekers on the Rise
According to COMAR’s latest data, a total of 11,052 Cuban migrants have requested asylum in Mexico, surpassing the number of asylum seekers from Haiti, El Salvador, Venezuela, and other countries. In the period between January and July 2024, 9,914 Cubans in an irregular situation sought protection from the Mexican authorities on their way to the United States. This represents a significant increase in asylum applications from Cubans, highlighting the growing trend of Cuban migration to the United States via Mexico.
Ranking of Asylum Seekers in Mexico
The ranking of asylum seekers in Mexico is as follows:
- Honduras - 21,529 applications
- Cuba - 11,052 applications
- Haiti – 4,916 applications
- El Salvador – 4,185 applications
- Venezuela – 3,055 applications
- Guatemala – 2,929 applications
- Colombia – 1,533 applications
- Nicaragua – 666 applications
- Ecuador – 632 applications
- Chile – 298 applications
New Initiatives to Assist Migrants
In response to the growing number of asylum requests, COMAR has launched new initiatives to improve assistance to migrants. The imminent opening of the Tapachula Multi-Service Center, located in the main border city in southern Mexico, has been announced. The center, which is 60% complete, will offer services similar to those already operating in Tijuana and Monterrey, where the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and several civil organizations provide support.
The Importance of Refugee Assistance
The growing number of asylum seekers in Mexico highlights the need for effective refugee assistance programs. The Mexican government, along with international organizations and civil society, must work together to provide adequate support to migrants and asylum seekers. This includes providing access to legal counsel, medical assistance, and social services, as well as ensuring the protection of human rights.
Conclusion
The record-high number of Cuban asylum seekers in Mexico is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention. The Mexican government’s efforts to improve assistance to migrants, including the opening of the Tapachula Multi-Service Center, are crucial in addressing the needs of asylum seekers. As the number of asylum applications continues to rise, it is essential to prioritize refugee assistance and protection to ensure the well-being and safety of migrants and asylum seekers.
Keywords: Cuban asylum seekers, Mexico, COMAR, refugee assistance, Tapachula Multi-Service Center, asylum applications, Honduras, Haiti, El Salvador, Venezuela, Guatemala, Colombia, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Chile, United States, UNHCR, civil organizations, human rights.
