The Mexican government announced on Saturday that it will be offering escorted bus rides from southern Mexico to the U.S. border for non-Mexican migrants who have received a United States asylum appointment. This decision is an attempt to make applying for asylum appointments from southern Mexico more attractive to migrants who would otherwise travel north to Mexico City or the border. The buses will depart from the cities of Villahermosa and Tapachula, providing migrants with a 20-day transit permit for legal passage across Mexico.
Previously, migrants who had scheduled asylum appointments at the U.S. border were supposed to be respected by Mexican authorities. However, some migrants reported being detained at checkpoints and sent back south, causing them to miss their appointments. In response to these incidents, the Mexican government has announced that local, state, and federal law enforcement will provide security for the buses and meals will be provided during transit. This initiative aims to prevent migrants from making the dangerous journey north on foot and to ensure that they reach their appointments safely.
The U.S. government recently expanded access to the CBP One application to southern Mexico, allowing asylum seekers to register and await an appointment. Previously, access to the app had been limited to central and northern Mexico. By encouraging migrants to wait in southern Mexico, farther from the U.S. border, the Mexican government hopes to alleviate the build-up of migrants in Mexico City. Many migrants have chosen to wait for their appointments in Mexico City due to the availability of work and relatively more security compared to cartel-controlled border cities.
Mexico has been under pressure to expand access to the CBP One application by the United States in order to address the influx of migrants in different parts of the country. With limited work opportunities and the risk of being targeted by cartels, many migrants face challenges during their journey through Mexico. Furthermore, some migrants opt to purchase plane tickets to the border crossing points where their appointments are scheduled to reduce the risk of encountering Mexican authorities or cartels. The recent announcement of escorted bus rides is expected to provide a safer and more organized means of transportation for migrants heading to the U.S. border.
In a tragic incident this week, three migrants were killed and 17 others were injured when a vehicle collided with them on a highway in the southern state of Oaxaca. This serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that migrants face when traveling through Mexico, whether by foot or by other means of transportation. The Mexican government’s decision to provide escorted bus rides and facilitate legal passage for migrants with asylum appointments reflects a commitment to ensuring their safety and well-being during their journey. By offering these services, Mexico aims to address the challenges faced by migrants and create a more structured process for accessing asylum in the United States.
