Migrants Seek Asylum in Mexico Amid US Border Pathway Closures

Key Takeaways

• US asylum access at southern border is suspended by Proclamation 10888 since January 2025.
• Mexico received over 140,000 asylum requests in 2023, with 1,000 daily applications in 2025.
• Mexico grants visitor cards for legal stay and work while asylum claims process, unlike US border.

For people hoping to find safety and a new life, the choice between seeking asylum in the United States 🇺🇸 or Mexico 🇲🇽 has never been more important—or more complicated. As of 2025, major policy changes in the United States 🇺🇸 have closed off almost all legal ways to ask for asylum at the southern border. This has pushed thousands of people to turn to Mexico 🇲🇽 instead. Below, you’ll find a detailed, side-by-side comparison of what it means to seek asylum in each country, including requirements, timelines, costs, pros and cons, and practical advice for different situations. This guide aims to help you understand your options and make the best decision for your circumstances.

Introduction to the Options

Until recently, many migrants saw the United States 🇺🇸 as the main place to seek asylum. However, new rules and executive orders have made it nearly impossible for most people to apply for asylum at the U.S. southern border. At the same time, Mexico 🇲🇽 has seen a huge rise in asylum requests, becoming one of the world’s busiest countries for new asylum claims. Now, people fleeing danger must weigh the risks and benefits of seeking protection in Mexico 🇲🇽 versus trying to reach the United States 🇺🇸.

Let’s look at both options in detail, starting with the current situation in each country.

Current Situation: United States 🇺🇸 vs. Mexico 🇲🇽

United States 🇺🇸:
– Asylum access at the southern border is suspended. President Trump’s Proclamation 10888, issued on January 20, 2025, blocks all asylum claims at the southern border, including at official entry points. There are no exceptions, even for children or victims of trafficking.
– ‘Remain in Mexico’ (MPP) policy is back, but on hold. The Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) require many asylum seekers to wait in Mexico 🇲🇽 for their U.S. immigration court hearings. However, a federal court has temporarily blocked this policy, so its future is uncertain.
– Executive Order 14159 further bans asylum requests at the border, leaving almost no legal way to apply for asylum from Mexico 🇲🇽 or at the border itself.

Mexico 🇲🇽:
– Record numbers of asylum applications. In 2023, Mexico 🇲🇽 received over 140,000 asylum claims. In 2024, there were about 78,900, and in just the first three months of 2025, more than 16,100 people applied.
– Daily surge in applications. Mexico’s asylum agency, COMAR, now receives up to 1,000 new asylum applications every day—three to four times higher than before 2017.
– Top nationalities applying: Most asylum seekers in Mexico 🇲🇽 come from Guatemala, Colombia, Haiti, Honduras, Venezuela, and Cuba.

Side-by-Side Comparison: Requirements, Timelines, and Costs

Requirements in Detail

United States 🇺🇸:
– Asylum at the border is not available. The only way to seek asylum is through rare exceptions or if you are already inside the United States 🇺🇸.
– MPP (Remain in Mexico) applies to some. If placed in MPP, you must wait in Mexico 🇲🇽 for your U.S. court date, but this program is currently blocked by a federal court.
– No exceptions for children or trafficking victims. All are subject to the same rules.

Mexico 🇲🇽:
– Anyone present in Mexico 🇲🇽 can apply. You must apply within 30 days of entering the country, but late applications may be accepted if you have a good reason.
– Application is made at COMAR offices. Most are located in southern states like Chiapas and Tabasco.
– You receive a visitor card. This allows you to stay and work legally for one year while your claim is processed.
– You must attend an interview. COMAR will ask about your reasons for fleeing and check your documents.

Timelines

• United States 🇺🇸: With the border closed, there is no timeline for new asylum cases at the southern border. For those already in the U.S. or in MPP, cases can take years due to court backlogs.
• Mexico 🇲🇽: Processing times have improved but are still long due to high demand. Most cases take several months to over a year.

Costs

• United States 🇺🇸: There is no government fee to apply for asylum, but legal help is costly, and living expenses are high, especially if you must wait in Mexico 🇲🇽 under MPP.
• Mexico 🇲🇽: There is no fee to apply for asylum. Living costs in southern Mexico 🇲🇽 are lower than in the United States 🇺🇸, but legal help and support services may be limited.

Pros and Cons for Different Situations

Seeking Asylum in the United States 🇺🇸

Pros:
– If you can access the process, the United States 🇺🇸 offers strong legal protections for refugees.
– Successful asylum seekers can eventually apply for permanent residency (a green card) and later citizenship.
– There are established support networks and communities for many nationalities.

Cons:
– As of 2025, almost no one can apply at the southern border.
– The MPP program forces many to wait in Mexico 🇲🇽, often in unsafe or unstable conditions.
– Legal help is expensive and hard to find, especially for those outside the U.S.
– The process is slow, with years-long backlogs and high denial rates.
– No exceptions for children or victims of trafficking.

Seeking Asylum in Mexico 🇲🇽

Pros:
– You can apply as soon as you enter Mexico 🇲🇽.
– You receive a visitor card, allowing you to stay and work legally while your case is reviewed.
– The Local Integration Programme (PIL) helps recognized refugees find jobs and relocate to safer areas.
– Living costs are lower than in the United States 🇺🇸.
– Mexico 🇲🇽 has expanded its asylum system with support from the UNHCR.

Cons:
– The system is overwhelmed, leading to long waits and limited resources.
– Many asylum seekers live in crowded shelters or face poor living conditions.
– Legal help and social services are limited, especially outside major cities.
– Approval rates vary by nationality and case details.
– Integration can be hard, especially for those who do not speak Spanish or have no family in Mexico 🇲🇽.

Recommendations for Specific Circumstances

For Families with Children:
– Mexico 🇲🇽 is currently the only realistic option. The United States 🇺🇸 does not allow children to apply for asylum at the border, and the MPP program offers no exceptions for families.
– Mexico’s visitor card allows families to stay together and access basic services, though conditions may be difficult.

For Unaccompanied Minors:
– Mexico 🇲🇽 is the only available option. The United States 🇺🇸 has closed all border pathways, even for children traveling alone.
– Mexico 🇲🇽 offers some protection for minors, but resources are stretched thin.

For Victims of Trafficking or Violence:
– Mexico 🇲🇽 is the only place to apply at the border. The United States 🇺🇸 does not make exceptions for these cases under current rules.
– Seek help from local NGOs or the UNHCR office in Mexico 🇲🇽 for extra support.

For Those Already in the United States 🇺🇸:
– If you are already inside the United States 🇺🇸, you may still be able to apply for asylum, but you should seek legal help as soon as possible.

For Those Deported Under MPP:
– You must wait in Mexico 🇲🇽 for your U.S. court hearing, but the program is currently on hold. Consider applying for asylum in Mexico 🇲🇽 as a backup.

Decision-Making Framework

When deciding where to seek asylum, consider the following:

1. Can you legally enter the United States 🇺🇸 to apply for asylum?
   • If not, Mexico 🇲🇽 is your only option at the border.
2. Do you have family or support in either country?
   • If you have relatives in Mexico 🇲🇽, integration may be easier there.
3. Are you able to wait for a long time?
   • Both countries have long waits, but Mexico 🇲🇽 allows you to work legally during the process.
4. Do you need special protection (as a child, trafficking victim, etc.)?
   • Mexico 🇲🇽 offers some support, but resources are limited. The United States 🇺🇸 currently does not allow these groups to apply at the border.
5. What is your nationality?
   • Approval rates in Mexico 🇲🇽 vary by country of origin. Some nationalities have a better chance than others.
6. Are you willing to settle in Mexico 🇲🇽 if your claim is approved?
   • Mexico’s Local Integration Programme can help you start a new life, but you must be ready to adapt to a new country and culture.

Practical Steps for Applying for Asylum in Mexico 🇲🇽

1. Arrive in Mexico 🇲🇽. Enter through the southern border or after being deported from the United States 🇺🇸.
2. Apply at a COMAR office. You must do this within 30 days of arrival. Find office locations and details on the official COMAR website.
3. Receive your visitor card. This allows you to stay and work legally for one year.
4. Attend your interview. COMAR will ask about your reasons for fleeing and check your documents.
5. Wait for a decision. Processing times vary, but you may wait several months or longer.
6. If approved, join the Local Integration Programme. This can help you find a job and relocate to a safer area in Mexico 🇲🇽.

Key Official Resources

• Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR): Handles all asylum applications in Mexico 🇲🇽. Visit the official COMAR website for up-to-date information and office locations.
• UNHCR Mexico: Offers support and information for asylum seekers.
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Oversees immigration enforcement and the MPP program. For information on U.S. asylum policy, see the DHS website.
• Legal Aid Organizations: Many NGOs in Mexico 🇲🇽 and at the U.S. border offer free or low-cost legal help.

Expert Analysis and Final Thoughts

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the sharp drop in U.S. asylum access has forced thousands of people to seek protection in Mexico 🇲🇽, putting huge pressure on the country’s asylum system. While Mexico 🇲🇽 has expanded its capacity and offers some support, the system is stretched thin, and many people face long waits and tough living conditions. Human rights groups warn that shifting the burden to Mexico 🇲🇽 leaves many vulnerable people at risk.

For now, Mexico 🇲🇽 is the only real option for most people seeking asylum at the southern border. If you are considering this path, act quickly, gather your documents, and seek help from official agencies or trusted organizations. Stay informed, as policies and procedures can change quickly due to ongoing court cases and political debates.

If you need more information or help with the process, contact COMAR or a local legal aid group. For the latest updates on asylum policies in both the United States 🇺🇸 and Mexico 🇲🇽, check official government websites and trusted news sources.

Learn Today

Proclamation 10888 → US government order suspending asylum requests at the southern border starting January 2025.
Migrants Protection Protocols (MPP) → Policy requiring some asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for US immigration hearings.
COMAR → Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance, handles asylum applications and interviews in Mexico.
Visitor Card → Document granting asylum seekers legal stay and work authorization in Mexico during processing.
Executive Order 14159 → US executive order further banning asylum claims at the southern border in 2025.

This Article in a Nutshell

In 2025, US closed nearly all asylum routes at the southern border, pushing thousands to seek refuge in Mexico. Mexico handles record asylum claims with visitor cards permitting legal work. Migrants face pros and cons; Mexico offers work permits, while US offers limited access under suspended policies.
— By VisaVerge.com