In recent years, Mexico has shifted from a transit country to a significant host for refugees fleeing violence and instability. Over the past decade, asylum applications have surged dramatically, from just over 1,000 in 2013 to nearly 140,000 in 2023, as people seek safety and a fresh start.
At Asylum Access Mexico, we’re at the forefront of this urgent response. Since 2015, we’ve worked with refugees to overcome barriers within a complex and underfunded system. Our legal services, advocacy efforts, and integration programs ensure that these individuals can access the protection and rights they deserve.
Many of the people we serve come from countries like Haiti, Cuba, and Honduras, where conflict, violence, and political instability make it impossible for them to return home. But once they reach Mexico, their struggles don’t end. Forcibly displaced people face barriers to essentials like healthcare, education, and employment, along with delays in processing asylum applications.
Our legal team provides free representation, helping refugees prepare and submit their asylum cases with Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR, for its Spanish acronym) and the National Institute for Migration (INM, for its Spanish acronym) ensuring that they have the best chance of being granted protection.
Asylum Access Mexico is divided into four main programs: Legal Services, Integration, Community Outreach, and Advocacy. As part of our Integration program, the Hospitality Route supports refugees in rebuilding their lives in Mexico by connecting them to employers, providing training, and securing access to emergency housing, healthcare, and language classes. We also foster greater community integration and support women’s groups like #TodasJuntas.
Beyond our work in the field, with six offices across the country—from the southern border with Guatemala to Ciudad de Mexico and up to the U.S. border— we advocate for improvements in national legislation and partner with government agencies to train civil servants on refugee rights and protection protocols.
Your help is crucial. The rise in asylum seekers has strained resources, with shelters stretched beyond capacity, and many refugees at risk. By donating today, you can help us continue serving thousands of refugees in Mexico. Your contribution will directly support them, giving them the tools and support to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.
We believe that every person has the right to live free from fear, regardless of where they come from. Together, we can ensure that Mexico remains a place of refuge for those seeking safety.
We supported 16,909 people with free and comprehensive legal and integration services from our six offices in Mexico
46 partners are now signed up to our Hospitality Route, strengthening refugees’ access to healthcare, education, training, and employment
We helped bring 11 families back together again in Mexico through family reunification
At Asylum Access Mexico, we work to ensure that every displaced person finds a safe home and opportunities to rebuild their life in the country. Each success story reminds us of the importance of our work in strengthening and adding value to our society, creating a Mexico where we can all grow together
Lucía Chávez, Executive Director at Asylum Access Mexico
Leonor* and her family fled El Salvador to escape threats and violence from the MS13 gang. With Asylum Access Mexico’s support, she and her husband secured the necessary documentation and representation to safely bring their two daughters and granddaughters to Mexico. Reflecting on the process, Leonor says, “Without AAMX, we would never have managed to reunite our family safely and effectively.” Today, her family is settled in Monterrey, where they feel both secure and fully integrated into their new community.
