The United States could extend legal pathways for migration to Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. The plan, according to the Reuters agencywill allow people who qualify for refugee status to do so through the US “refugee resettlement” program that is only available to applicants from abroad.
Unlike those migrants who request asylum after arriving in the US, under the condition of “refugees”, with this variant people receive authorization to enter the country, obtain an immediate job, in addition to benefits such as housing and employment aid. Another benefit is that they can apply for permanent residence within a year, which offers more stability than other options.
Four officials confirmed that the US and Mexican governments are discussing the plan. Migrants who prove that they suffer “persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, belonging to a certain social group or political opinion” may benefit from this program.
In April, the Biden government said it was aiming to admit 40,000 refugees between 2023 and 2024. Some 3,400 had arrived as of May 31, showing that the pace would have to pick up a lot to reach the target.
In order to qualify for the program, people have to prove that they are in Mexico before June 6. A source from the Ministry of Foreign Relations, who kept anonymity, confirmed to 14ymedio several meetings between the two governments on the immigration issue, but he specified that “until now no agreement has been reached.”
Migrants who prove that they suffer “persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, belonging to a certain social group or political opinion” may benefit from this program.
Since January, the US government of Joe Biden implemented the program of parole humanitarian. Despite the barrage of applications and the difficulties in obtaining an appointment, until May, 29,000 Cubans have benefited. The figure was given by Blas Nuñez-Neto, acting undersecretary for Border Policy and Immigration of the US Department of Homeland Security, who also announced that there will soon be new provisions for the family reunification process.
In Mexico, the foreign ministry official highlighted, refugee applications increased by almost 30% in the first quarter of 2023, to a record of 37,606, according to the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (Comar). In the figures published in May, there are 4,215 natives of the Island who have joined this program.
The coordinator of the Jesuit and Refugee Service, Karen Martínez, established that Chiapas is the state in southern Mexico with the highest reception of refugee applications, noting that in Tapachula there are some 26,000 foreigners this year and, of that number, one 40% are refugees.
Chery Agnes, a migrant from Haiti, joined this day of peaceful mobilization against discrimination. This woman was a soccer player in her country and her dream is to continue playing this sport where they give her an opportunity.
“I like everything, I’m a soccer player and I work with my body because I’m a model,” he told EFE. “I am a lesbian and I am a very calm person and I come here to show that we have rights,” she added.
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