Thousands of Cuban migrants arrive in Mexico irregularly, hoping to build a more stable future. However, many spend months, even years, without changing their immigration status, which limits their access to employment, medical care, and legal security.
Although the process is not "a walk in the park," regularization is possible if one has the right information and the support of immigration advisors. In this article, we explore the options that can help Cuban migrants obtain legal status in Mexico.
Methods to Obtain Legal Residency
Refuge and Political Asylum
You can apply at the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR). Your application can be submitted in many ways; however, the most recommended method is via email. After that, you will need to go through several bureaucratic processes for the Organization to analyze your profile, mainly focusing on the reasons that forced you to leave your country irregularly. These reasons must be serious enough to threaten your life and that of your loved ones. Once this process is completed, if your application is approved, you will obtain permanent residency, which allows you to apply for citizenship in two years.
Regularization by Marriage or Family Ties
If you have Mexican relatives, you can go to the National Institute of Migration to apply for a temporary residency, presenting of course the relevant documents depending on the relationship you have with that relative. Currently, this only applies to parents and minor children. It is important to note that this residency does not come with an implicit work permit; this must be applied for separately.
Within this type of regularization, there is also that which is carried out through marital ties, meaning having a marriage agreement with a Mexican citizen or a resident, whether temporary or permanent. This is somewhat more complex because the INM uses various methods to verify the authenticity of the marriage.
Regularization for Expired Document
If you entered Mexico before December 2022 with a tourist visa and it is expired, you have this option for regularization. You must present important documents and relevant information such as your place of work, residence, among others.
Important Tips
Do not use fake documents.
Using forged documents can lead to serious legal consequences, including deportation and possible criminal penalties.
Reach out to support organizations.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR) offer free assistance and guidance for migrants and refugees.
Consult immigration lawyers.
Each immigration situation is unique, and a specialized attorney can provide personalized advice to find the best path to regularization.
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Regularization is key to accessing labor and social rights in Mexico.
Do you know any Cubans living irregularly in Mexico? Let them know! We can help them.