Mexico's Asylum Requests Plummet to Lowest Levels Since 2019
Asylum applications in Mexico have dropped to levels not seen since early 2019. New figures show a steady decline in requests, with a 41% fall compared to the same period last year. The latest data also highlights ongoing challenges for refugees settling in the country. Between October 2020 and August 2025, Mexico’s Refugee Assistance Commission (Comar) regularly processed over 4,000 asylum applications each month. The peak came in October 2021, when 17,980 claims were filed. But numbers have since fallen sharply.
In the last quarter of 2025, Comar received 11,944 new claims—almost 10% fewer than the previous quarter. The first three months of 2026 saw just 10,205 applications, marking a 41% decrease from the same period in 2024. January 2026 recorded 3,711 requests, nearly matching the 3,937 filed in January 2019. Over half of the applications in late 2025 came from southern Mexico, particularly Tapachula. As of June 2025, Mexico hosted 172,237 asylum seekers, with Haitians making up 30%, Cubans 22%, Hondurans nearly 14%, and Venezuelans around 9%. By early 2026, the number of recognised refugees stood at 168,518. Mexico City and its surrounding area have become a key destination for refugees. However, many still face difficulties integrating due to a lack of valid migration documents.
The decline in asylum applications suggests a return to pre-2020 levels. With fewer new claims, authorities may shift focus to supporting those already in the system. Integration remains a pressing issue, particularly for refugees without proper documentation.
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