Record number of asylum applications in Mexico in 2021

The number of asylum applications filed with the Mexican authorities in 2021 was almost double that of two years ago, the head of the Refugee Assistance Committee said on Monday, with most of them submitted by its citizens. Haiti and Honduras.

Compared to 2019, when 70.341 applications were filed, the 131.448 applications submitted last year represent an increase of 86,84%, according to the Mexican Refugee Aid Commission (COMAR). "By far, most (asylum seekers) were from Haiti and Honduras," said Andres Ramirez Silva, head of COMAR, adding that third place, albeit at a distance, was occupied by Cuban citizens.

The rapid rise of Haitians in Mexico has been attributed to the continuing economic downturn, last year's devastating earthquake, political unrest following the assassination of President Jouvenel Moyes in July, and the escalation of criminal activity in the country.

In the past two years, most applications have been submitted by Honduran citizens.

72% of those who applied for asylum in 2021 received a positive answer, Mr. Ramirez assured, while 2% received additional protection.

Mexico is part of the path taken by tens of thousands of people, mostly from Central American countries, to immigrate to the United States to escape the violence and misery of their homelands. In recent years, however, due to the tightening of Washington's policy towards immigrants, more and more people are choosing to seek asylum from the Mexican authorities.

Source: RES-EAP