Migration from Central and South American countries to Mexico has remained relatively unchanged in recent years. However, due to new U.S. immigration policies, many are opting for the “Mexican dream,” and Quintana Roo is seen as a prime destination for achieving it.
“Those who stay here (in Quintana Roo) make up at least 16 to 18 percent of the total. Something very curious happened to me recently: many people arrived in December or November of last year, went to other states, but then returned to Cancún because, since they can’t achieve the American dream, they want the Mexican dream. And remember, Cancún or the Riviera Maya are internationally renowned; it’s all about finding the beach. It’s marketed that way,” emphasized Marilyn Torres Leal, founder and president of the Consejo Internacional Sumando Venezuela AC (CISVAC) foundation.
Migrants, she said, find Cancún and the Riviera Maya in general to be destinations with ample job opportunities in hotels. In many cases, they continue to arrive at the northern border, but seeing so many detained and the very limited access, they prefer to return.
Additionally, many repatriated migrants are returning because their applications in Mexico have been canceled, and they want to recover them. Currently, there are about 532 migrants beyond what the foundation normally serves, but the number could rise considerably.
“There are 40,000 naturalized citizens alone in the state of Quintana Roo—40,000 naturalized citizens who voted starting there. Aside from that, Quintana Roo has more than 300,000 migrants, and the number of undocumented migrants is still countless,” she noted.
Currently, the largest percentage of arrivals is from Venezuela, followed by Cuba, with similar numbers from other countries. Those who arrive there often find refuge in Mexico because, when they enter the country, they are not considered illegal, just undocumented.
“One group is the Central-Northern triangle, which includes Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. More and more people are migrating from Nicaragua due to the political situation, which is worsening and, unfortunately, will likely continue. The flow to Mexico has been increasing,” she explained.
In addition, a strong “wave” of people is expected to arrive in the country in April, as that’s when legal stays for many currently in the United States will expire. This will then be replicated in September. The first wave will include at least 20,000 people whose permits will no longer be renewed.
