**Major Asylum Requests in the U.S. from Venezuelans, Mexicans, and Cubans via CBP One**
Venezuelans, Mexicans, and Cubans are leading the statistics for asylum requests submitted through the CBP One app, according to Luis Miranda, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Communications for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Official data highlights that between 2023 and 2024, approximately 91,250 Venezuelans, 80,800 Mexicans, and 63,100 Cubans have entered the U.S. through the CBP One app seeking humanitarian asylum.
The CBP One app aims to provide a structured pathway to asylum, significantly reducing irregular crossings. It reported less than 54,000 irregular crossings at the southern U.S. border in 2024 and an 80% decrease in the number of individuals waiting for court dates to apply for asylum, thus accelerating the process. However, the deteriorating political, economic, and security situations in Venezuela, Mexico, and Cuba complicate efforts towards an orderly migration.
**Venezuela’s Context**
Venezuela’s elections on July 28, 2024, saw current President Nicolás Maduro claim victory amidst controversy over transparency and legitimacy, sparking discontent among the populace. Under Maduro’s governance, following Hugo Chávez’s leadership, Venezuela’s economy has faced severe challenges, pushing many to migrate to neighboring countries and the U.S. Within the first eight months of 2024, Mexico received 2,272 asylum requests from Venezuelans.
**Mexico’s Context**
Mexico continues to grapple with violence attributed to drug cartels, particularly affecting states like Michoacán, Guerrero, and Oaxaca. Under President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration, murder rates and disappearances saw a historic high. Many Mexicans seek safety in the U.S., pushed by the pervasive insecurity in their home country.
**Cuba’s Context**
Cuba is suffering from a critical energy and economic crisis due to the deteriorated state of its National Electric System. Ongoing fuel shortages and power outages since late August 2024 exacerbate the fragile Cuban economy, shrinking by 1.9% in 2023. This situation fuels social unrest against the regime of Miguel DÃaz-Canel, leading many Cubans to pursue migration for survival and to support their families.
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**Secondary Article**
**Ongoing Migration Challenges at the U.S. Border**
As asylum requests increase from countries entrenched in crises, the U.S. faces mounting challenges at its southern border. The Biden administration has taken steps to streamline asylum processes and manage the high influx of migrants from Venezuela, Mexico, and Cuba.
Recent reports indicate that irregular crossings have decreased, but human rights organizations urge further humanitarian support and cooperation with origin countries to address root causes. There have also been calls to enhance border security and develop more comprehensive immigration reform that balances security concerns with humanitarian obligations.
Meanwhile, international attention remains focused on promoting stability in affected regions. Collaborative efforts with regional governments are deemed critical to mitigate migration pressures, improve living conditions, and foster economic and social frameworks that discourage forced migration.