The fear of being imprisoned for expressing their discontent against the regime led Yadira San Martín Grillo, her husband William Rodríguez Acosta and their daughters Yisel Esthefany and Yinelis Chantal to leave the Island last year. This family originally from Matanzas arrived in Tapachula (Chiapas) on August 15, 2023 with the intention of processing their residency, but the Immigration offices collapsed due to the flow of irregular migrants and suspended the administrative procedures.
In an attempt to stay in Mexico, they went to the headquarters of the Mexican Commission for Aid to Refugees (Comar). After several days outside the facilities, they were assisted and filled out an application. “We went on the indicated date and told a woman the reasons that led us to leave Cuba and the repression we suffered,” she tells 14 intervene San Martin. “We cannot return because the regime does not give work to those who flee. We want to establish ourselves in this country, we are hard-working people.”
According to the organization Without Borders, those who request refuge in Mexico face different obstacles to obtain humanitarian status.
On January 9, Comar informed them that their request was rejected. Their arguments, which “failed to prove well-founded fear (credible fear).”
According to the organization Without Borders, those who request refuge in Mexico face different obstacles to obtain humanitarian status. Migrants “do not have access to an adequate interview to determine whether they can obtain the status.” Furthermore, “no support is provided to people with disabilities or psychological care needs.” This same NGO indicated that only one in 10 applicants obtained a favorable response.
Last January, Comar served 2,352 Cubans, behind the 3,213 Hondurans seeking to remain in Mexico.
The lawyer José Luis Pérez, in charge of processing an amparo for this family from Matanzas, denounces the inconsistency of the article 11 of the Constitution which states that “everyone has the right to seek and receive asylum.” However, “how to do it when the National Immigration Institute denies these people any process to obtain a humanitarian visa or permanent residence.”
Last January, Comar served 2,352 Cubans, behind the 3,213 Hondurans seeking to remain in Mexico.
The lawyer processed the legal appeal in the second district court of Tapachula so that the family can travel to Mexico City and try to “reverse” the response of Comar in the capital headquarters. If they obtain a humanitarian visa or permanent residence, they will opt for the Multiple Immigration Form, which provides them with a legal stay in Mexico for a certain period of time.
“There are arguments from the family to support the repression they suffered in Cuba,” he tells 14 intervene the litigant. Article 13 of the Refuge Law is clear, he emphasizes, refugee status is recognized for any foreigner who in their country of origin both “their life, security and freedom have been threatened by generalized violence.”
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