More than 140,000 people requested refuge in Mexico in 2023, the highest number in 10 years

In 2023, 140,982 people requested refuge from the Mexican government for various reasons, such as insecurity or feeling of being persecuted in their countries of origin.

This is the highest number recorded in a decade, according to the most recent statistics published by the Mexican Refugee Aid Commission (Comar).

During 2013, Comar registered 1,295 requests. The number increased to:

• 2,137 in 2014;
• 3,422 in 2015;
• 8,791 in 2016;
• 14,587 in 2017;
• 29,441 in 2018; It is
• 70,278 in 2019.

In 2020, the number of refuges fell to 40,817, as it was the year in which the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a health emergency due to the Covid-19 pandemic and entry into countries was limited.

In the following years, the rate increased again and exceeded 100 thousand requests per year:

• 129,585 in 2021;
• 119,273 in 2022;
• 140,982 in 2023.

From 2022 to 2023 the increase was 21,709 requests.

Sandra Álvarez, director of the NGO Sin Fronteras, told CNN that the increase in recent years can be explained by several reasons, such as the activities of criminal groups in Central American countries, political conflicts, economic problems and the intention of many people to request refuge in Mexico and then try to go to the United States.

“The magnitude that we map as a civil society organization, and that we have identified in this constant growth from 2018 to today, has different factors depending on the context”, stated the expert.

Countries with the most requests

In 2023, the three countries with the most asylum seekers in Mexico were Haiti, with 44,239 requests; Honduras, with 41,935; and Cuba, with 18,386.

Over the past three years, these three nations have led in refugee applications to Mexico. They just alternated positions: in 2022, for example, Honduras came in first place, followed by Cuba and Haiti.

Álvarez stated that Sin Fronteras detected that applicants from Haiti are fleeing public insecurity in their country, the effects of the 2010 earthquake and climate change, adding that many of them have not found refuge elsewhere.

“[Acrescentaria] the lack of protection that exists in other countries. We must remember that a high percentage of arriving Haitians have already requested asylum in Brazil or Chile,” he explained.

In relation to Honduras, she highlighted that the main reason for those seeking refuge is the violence generated by organized crime, extortion and gender violence, while many of the migrants from Cuba argue possible political persecution.

A CNN contacted the foreign ministries of the three countries for comments on the matter and is awaiting a response.

During 2023, the other countries with the most people requesting refuge in Mexico were, according to Comar figures:

• El Salvador, with 6,117;
• Guatemala, with 6,111;
• Venezuela, with 5,517;
• Brazil, with 3,678;
• Chile, with 3,489;
• Colombia, with 2,566; It is
• Afghanistan, with 1,744.

Getaway in Mexico

Once the Mexican government receives a request, Comar analyzes it and investigates each case to determine whether or not to grant refugee status.

This status is granted when a foreigner has well-founded fears of being persecuted in their country due to their race, religion, gender, membership of a particular social group or political opinions, etc.

Or if you fled because your life, safety or freedom were at risk due to situations of widespread violence, armed conflicts and human rights violations, in accordance with the Refugee, Complementary Protection and Political Asylum Law.

According to Comar, in the period between 2013 and 2023, 560,608 asylum requests were received, of which the Mexican government granted permission to 115,410 cases.

In another 10,805 cases, it was decided to grant complementary protection, when the authorities allow the applicant to remain in Mexico without granting him refugee status, and in 50,193 the request was denied.

The remaining requests are still awaiting response.