From May to December of last year, the number of active cases involving migrants, primarily foreigners, in Yucatán quadrupled, rising from 56 to 286.
This was reported by Lucero Gutiérrez de la Cruz, a legal advisor specializing in human mobility at the Federal Institute of Public Defenders.
In an interview with the newspaper, the specialist believes this increase reflects a growing need for legal support in a context of global and local crisis.
Lucero Gutiérrez points out that the Federal Public Defender’s Office has the responsibility to ensure that all migrants arriving in Mexico receive adequate legal representation, regardless of their nationality.
She notes that many people arrive in the country to escape adverse situations in their places of origin, such as violence, political persecution, or lack of medical care.
In this regard, she indicates that those requesting their services are predominantly from Cuba and Venezuela; they also handle cases from Pakistan and the Congo, among other countries, whose citizens seek to regularize their immigration status to reside in Yucatán.
“We assist people of all nationalities. Many arrive needing to regularize their immigration status in the country for various reasons. Some face problems in their home countries, have been victims of crime, suffer political persecution, or require medical care that they cannot receive in their place of origin.”
The legal advisor adds that there are other cases, such as those who establish a relationship with Mexican citizens or permanent residents, which allows them to access regularization through family unity.
“Migrating is not a crime, and we are here to defend your rights.”
Lucero Gutiérrez indicates that since May of last year, there has been a considerable increase in the demand for services. From that month to December 2025, the number of services provided to migrants grew by approximately 400%.
So far this year, from January to March, 54 cases have already been opened.
The official attributes this phenomenon to various political and social situations.
Regarding this, she explains that the conditions in Cuba and Venezuela have led many people to seek refuge in Mexico, where they find a favorable environment. She adds that international conflicts also drive some people to leave their countries.
“Applications for humanitarian reasons are frequently submitted by people from Cuba and Venezuela; we have also handled cases from Pakistan and the Congo. We receive applications daily, which explains the increase in Yucatán,” she notes.
Regarding the services offered by the institution, she details that there are different ways to regularize one’s stay in Mexico:
In the case of expired documents, assistance is provided to those who had legal residency and need to renew it.
For humanitarian reasons, assistance is provided to people fleeing violence or facing adverse health conditions in their countries.
With respect to family unity, support is provided to those who have ties to Mexican citizens or permanent residents, as well as those who have children in the country.
The legal advisor emphasized that the service is free and accessible. He explains that interested individuals can go directly to the offices for guidance.
He also emphasizes the importance of support during procedures with authorities such as the National Institute of Migration and the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance.
“We assist in preparing documents and verify that everything is ready for their appointments,” he states.
Finally, he reiterates the importance of providing legal and human support to the migrant population, as part of the institutional commitment to protecting the rights of all people in Mexico.
Migration
Arrival of Cubans and Venezuelans seeking refuge increases.
Cubans
More than 8,000 Cubans requested asylum in Mexico between January and March 2025, representing more than half of the applications during that period.
From Venezuela
In 2024, 339,298 Venezuelans were registered as undocumented in Mexico, the highest number documented for that nationality.
Haiti
Cuba and Venezuela remain among the top countries of origin for asylum seekers in Mexico, along with Haiti.
The flow of migrants to Mexico remains high: by 2025, an estimated 2 million people are expected to be in transit, many fleeing crises in countries like Venezuela.
Source: yucatan
