Mexico: Asylum seekers choose to stay in Mexico as US intensifies border enforcement.

Mexico - September 19, 2026 Shotlist Mexico - Recent (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland) 1. Migrants holding national flag of Honduras 2. Various of migrants 3. Various of children playing at CafeMin Refugee House, employee working 4. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Gerardo Talavera, employee, CafeMin Refugee House: "So, when people seek asylum in Mexico, it is generally understood that what they want is to stay in Mexico." 5. Various of migrants queuing for supplies 6. Migrant talking with employee 7. Child playing 8. Various of migrants making written records 9. Various of construction workers working 10. Various of Honduran migrant Magaly Chicas working in kitchen 11. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Magaly Chicas, Honduran migrant (starting with shot 10): "Here in Mexico City, we want to apply for our papers to see what our future holds. But for now, I have a job and we're doing well, and that's what matters." 12. Various of Chicas working in kitchen 13. Various of migrants at site for asylum applications 14. Pedestrians on street Storyline Mexico has transitioned from a transit corridor into a final destination for an increasing number of people in need of international protection, as stricter U.S. immigration and border policies prevent them from entering the country. The southern border city of Tapachula now has by far the largest concentration of foreign immigrants. The Mexican government estimates some 60,000 migrants are living there. Meanwhile, the nation's giant capital city has emerged as an important destination for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela and other parts of Latin America and the world. "So, when people seek asylum in Mexico, it is generally understood that what they want is to stay in Mexico," said Gerardo Talavera, a staff member of the CafeMin Refugee House in Mexico City. Mexico's constitution and federal laws guarantee basic human rights and protections for everyone, including rights to emergency medical care, due process in the justice system, education, protection of children, and the right to request refugee protection. The Mexican government is working closely with the UN's Refugee Agency to process asylum claims and to support its international agreements to protect refugees in the country. It also encourages migrants who are going to remain in the country to enter the formal economy. Many migrants now work in the service and construction sectors. "Here in Mexico City, we want to apply for our papers to see what our future holds. But for now, I have a job and we're doing well, and that's what matters," said Magaly Chicas, a migrant from Honduras, who has been living at the CafeMin Refugee House for two years and has a job in the kitchen. As more and more migrants decide to stay in the country, Mexico has become one of the top countries in the world receiving asylum applications over the past few years.