Mexico City, Mexico, November 3, 2025 — As the United States borders remain closed to refugees, Mexico is increasingly becoming the country of destination for people seeking safety, with 66% of refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants in Mexico looking to stay rather than go to the US – a 61% increase from last year. The IRC warns that the resulting pressure on Mexico’s asylum system, exacerbated by US funding cuts and the reception of the highest number of US third-country removals, is creating heightened humanitarian need that far exceeds the available resources.
For forcibly displaced people seeking to rebuild their lives, access to safe and dignified work is a key part of their integration into new communities. However, labor informality in the country stands at 45% and in Mexico City, exceeds 69% among young people aged 15 to 29, forcing them into work that is underpaid, uncontracted, and without the proper protections, leaving them vulnerable to potential exploitation by criminal groups.
IRC and ProEmpleo published a new report that identifies the main barriers to economic integration for refugees and migrants: difficulty obtaining work authorization due to backlogs in the asylum system, lack of social networks required to facilitate access to work opportunities, and limited ability to verify work experience or credentials. Guided by the findings of the report, the IRC is adapting its programmatic response to better meet the needs of migrants and refugees seeking to stay in Mexico long-term by:
- Facilitating access to safe and dignified income sources for at-risk populations.
- Alleviating the pressure of receiving communities with stabilization interventions.
- Providing training sessions on digital skills, employment, financial education, and language courses both in-person and via an e-learning platform and training hub.
- Supporting people with seed capital to start their own businesses, empowering them to take control of their financial future and providing an alternative to informal labor.
As more refugees choose to stay in Mexico, traditional programs designed to serve people in transit are becoming less effective. IRC deploys mobile units to meet people where they are with mental health support, primary health care, activities to improve the well-being of children, and key information on resources and rights. Mobile units connect clients to economic and social integration including referrals for employment opportunities. Teams also provide translation services as Mexico has become a global destination for people from nearby crisis contexts like Haiti and across the world.
Meg Galas, IRC Country Director for Mexico and Central America, said:
“Mexico is now a country where people from all over the world who are fleeing violence and persecution are choosing to rebuild their lives.
“At the same time, Mexico is grappling with climate change-induced disasters such as the recent flash flooding that affected over 100,000 people, and widespread internal displacement with nearly 400,000 Mexicans who have been forced to leave their homes due to extortion, kidnapping, and other violence.
“Now more than ever, increased support from the international community is desperately needed to protect the lives and futures of the hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people living in Mexico.”