Attachments
Overview
The humanitarian crisis related to mixed migration movements in Mexico has steadily worsened over 2024, as changing policies and practices hinder safe and regular transit through the country and access to international protection for the most vulnerable. Continued arrivals, fueled by ongoing movements through the Darien and the rise of Nicaragua as a point of entry into the northward migration route, reflects the continued deterioration of conditions in Venezuela, Haiti, Ecuador and Peru, among others. The increasingly diverse migration flow illustrates the heightened level of control exercised by trafficking networks connecting countries as diverse as India, Senegal, China, and Guinea to Mexico. While entry into Mexico has continued, exiting has become increasingly difficult, as measures introduced by the United States (U.S.) authorities have restricted meaningful access to the territory. As wait times for accessing the U.S. grow, those on the move in Mexico face increased targeting by criminal groups and corrupt actors, including for kidnappings, extortion and sexual and gender-based violence. A significant number of people decide to stay in Mexico, posing multiple challenges to its already overstretched asylum system. In 2023, Mexico was among the top five countries worldwide with the highest numbers of new asylum claims. While the number of applicants remains high in 2024, with almost 50,000 individuals applying in the first six months of the year, this figure represents a decrease compared to the previous years. This decline is partly attributed to restrictive migration policies and prohibitive barriers to accessing the process.