Mexico to delay the process to grant asylum amid the COVID-19 outbreak

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On March 24, Mexico temporarily halted the processing of asylum requests , its refugee agency said, the latest measure was implemented in a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19 but it has also limited the immigrants ’ access to asylum .

Mexico’s refugee agency , COMAR , announced migration authorities will resume processing applications on April 20, after the federal government ordered several government departments to halt certain functions.

Additionally, the Foreign Ministry announced it won’t issue passports until April 20.

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On March 24, Mexico reported 405 COVID-19 cases and five deaths .

In recent days, the U.S. and Canada have also implemented measures in response to coronavirus , which has also curbed asylum processes .

Canada

said it would turn back asylum seekers who walk over the U.S.-Canada border, while the U.S. said it would postpone all court hearings for asylum-seeking immigrants in Mexico .

In 2019, the Trump administration introduced a policy that has sent back 60,000 immigrants requesting asylum to wait on the Mexican side of the border for U.S. immigration court hearings .

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