Since the beginning of March, we have observed a noticeable decrease in the number of requests from entry to Mexico for citizens of Ukraine, Russia and Belarus. Obviously, this is somehow connected with the war in Ukraine. The statement by the President of Mexico that his state will provide asylum to both Ukrainians and Russians has not yet been supported by any official document. Mexico has provided asylum before, and there are no special conditions for Ukrainians or Russians to receive it yet. Most likely it won't. In this regard, more loyal behavior from migration service employees at passport control at airports — This is the only result of the president’s statement so far.
Entering Mexico does not mean applying for asylum in the country. But for many this is enough. In parallel, we see an increase in the flow of Russian-speaking migrants heading through Mexico towards Tijuana to then seek asylum in the United States. This growth is also associated with the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian refugees began to be allowed into the United States using the so-called humanitarian password, and this is a case where there is no need to resort to tricks and ask for asylum in the United States. In addition, Russians have a chance to enter the United States through pedestrian crossings, but many prefer, as before, to storm the border in a car with American license plates.
Ukrainians get to Mexico from Europe or through Istanbul. There are no longer direct flights from Russia to Mexico, the price of tickets for flights via Istanbul is off the charts, however, this does not stop many Russians. How and in post-Covid times, Russians have mastered routes through Colombia and Panama.
Upon arrival in Mexico, Ukrainians, Russians and Belarusians began to be less scrupulously asked about the purpose of their visit to the country. They almost never ask for a return ticket or other supporting documents. But we know of cases where they were told to enter without a return ticket. Explanations that there is war in Ukraine and we do not know when we will return to our homeland did not help.
Almost everyone is now given 180 days upon entry — the maximum period a traveler can stay in Mexico. This is another big plus. More recently, 180 days was given to very few people. Those who entered earlier and who were given a shorter permitted period in the migration form are also able to stay in the country for 180 days — This is an informal order from the migration service. At the same time, we have already encountered the fact that the migration service refuses to officially formalize an extension beyond 180 days.
But for many, the option of legally staying in Mexico while the war is going on is not enough. They are waiting for Mexico to allow them to stay further. There is not even a hint yet that this could happen.
From April 1, 2022, the visa-free regime for entry to Mexico for Colombian citizens has been changed. Now they must obtain an electronic permit. This news is not relevant to Russian-speaking visitors to Mexico. But the Colombian consul in Cancún, talking about innovations for the citizens of her country, cited interesting statistics. Previously, data on the number of refusals to enter Mexico were not published.
In 2018, an average of 10 passengers per day were denied entry to Mexico from Cancúna airport. In 2021, after the start of the migration crisis, this figure increased to 80 people per day. In January of this year, the number of passengers denied entry to Mexico at Cancúna airport was 2,665, an average of 85 people per day. The consul reports that among the «fromtreasurers» the majority are from Venezuela and Colombia.
Cancún Airport's share of foreign passenger arrivals in January 2022 was 29%. Obviously, nationally, the number of those denied entry to Mexico was significantly higher.