The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has announced the closure of four offices in Mexico, citing a severe funding crisis following substantial cuts to overseas aid by the Trump administration. This decision has resulted in the layoff of over 190 staff members and the cessation of operations in key regions, including Palenque and Tenosique in Chiapas, and Guadalajara in Jalisco.
UNHCR’s representative in Mexico, Giovanni Lepri, stated that the agency’s budget for operations in the country has been slashed by approximately 60%, primarily due to the withdrawal of US funding. In the previous fiscal year, the United States contributed 86% of UNHCR’s budget for Mexico, amounting to $58 million.
The closures are expected to have a significant impact on asylum seekers and refugees, particularly in Chiapas, which accounted for 67% of asylum requests in 2024. The majority of applicants originate from countries such as Cuba, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, and Venezuela.
The funding cuts are part of President Trump’s broader initiative to reduce foreign aid, implemented through the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk. This department aims to eliminate what it deems unnecessary expenditures, including foreign assistance.
Migrant advocates have expressed concern over the closures, warning of increased risks for vulnerable populations. Jose Maria Garcia, director of the 2000 Juventud shelter in northern Mexico, emphasized the potential for heightened danger and exploitation among migrants due to reduced support services.
According to Mexico’s National Migration Institute, the UNHCR closures affect over 100,000 asylum claims currently under review, many of which will now face extended delays or lack institutional follow-up. In addition, mobile legal and medical services funded through the UNHCR will cease operations in key transit areas along the southern border.