‘I am trying to live’: Haitians in Mexico seek community despite broken immigration systems

The Guardian - World NewsEN 10 min read 100% complete by Anna Oakes and Mariana Hernández Ampudia in Tapachula and Tijuana, MexicoMarch 8, 2026 at 01:00 PM

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Haitian journalist Jean Baptiste Gensley fled Haiti in November 2024 after gang violence escalated, targeting him for his work. He traveled through the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and El Salvador, eventually reaching Tapachula, Mexico. Gensley initially aimed for the U.S. but chose Mexico due to stricter U.S. immigration policies. In Tapachula, he applied for asylum with the Mexican commission for refugee assistance (Comar), hoping for a work permit and residency. However, like many other Haitians arriving in Tapachula, he has faced delays and uncertainty in the Mexican immigration system, leaving him in limbo.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Guatemala 40% Port-au-Prince 50% Donald Trump 50% Joe Biden 50% Dominican Republic 50% Mexican commission for refugee assistance (Comar) ×260% United States ×260% Tapachula ×470% Mexico ×480% Haiti ×580% Jean Baptiste Gensley ×790%

Keywords

haitian migrants 90% mexico 80% immigration 80% tapachula 70% asylum seekers 70% refugee assistance 60% gang violence 60% work permit 50% joe biden 40% donald trump 40%