Mexico faces surging Haitian asylum claims, with over 13,000 applications in Q1 2024, and the number expected to surpass last year’s record of 52,000, leading to a strain on Mexican migrant services and uncertainty for Haitians in limbo; the Mexican government must do more to address the issue.
Mexico is facing an unprecedented surge in asylum claims by Haitians, with the number of applications expected to surpass the previous year’s record of 52,000. In the first quarter of 2024, 13,631 Haitians applied for asylum in Mexico, accounting for more than three-quarters of the previous year’s total, and already surpassing that of any other country. The trend is expected to continue, and the Mexican government is bracing for higher numbers.
Reasons for the Increase in Haitian Asylum Claims
The tightening of US border controls in January 2024, which has made it more difficult for migrants to enter the US by land, is one of the significant factors contributing to the surge in Haitian asylum claims. In addition, a US program allows Haitians to cross by air each month, but only if they have a sponsor or have not crossed the border irregularly. As a result, many Haitians have been stranded in Mexico, where most do not qualify for asylum because they left Haiti for economic reasons several years ago.
Strain on Mexican Migrant Services
The influx of Haitians is putting Mexican migrant services under further strain, as they are already stretched thin. Many of the Haitians who are applying for asylum in Mexico are leaving Chile and Brazil, where they have lived for several years since the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. They are returning to Haiti due to economic, bureaucratic, and cultural difficulties. The Mexican government has set up new shelters to accommodate the increasing number of Haitians, but many shelters are already full, and some migrants are petitioning the government to open more shelters.
Uncertainty for Haitians in Mexico
Many Haitians remain in limbo, unsure of where they will end up and whether they will be granted asylum in Mexico or elsewhere. Some Haitians hope to eventually make it to the US, but others are determined to pursue their dreams in Mexico.
Joines Exil, who lived in Chile for eight years, left the country in February because inflation left him with less money to send home to Haiti. Before heading to the Mexican border city of Reynosa, he has been granted a 45-day permit to remain in Mexico. Exil said that while policies regarding border control change frequently, he is determined to continue pursuing his dream.
The Need for Increased Government Intervention
Mexico is facing a daunting challenge as it struggles to cope with the surging number of Haitian asylum claims. The Haitians are leaving Chile and Brazil due to bureaucratic, economic, and cultural difficulties. While the Mexican government has set up new shelters to accommodate the increasing number of Haitians, it is not enough. The Mexican government must do more to address the challenges of the surging number of Haitian asylum claims.
