The United States detects an increase in the arrival of Ukrainians and Russians through the border with Mexico

Authorities at the California (USA) border have detected an increase in the number of Russian and Ukrainian citizens crossing from Mexico seeking political asylum, which has led them to reinforce the control of the passage of private vehicles.

The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) office closed more than half of the entry lanes from the border city of Tijuana (Mexico) so that drivers show their IDs.

He explained that these immigrants are transported in used Mexican vehicles thatthey buy very cheaply to cross the border strip between the two countries in San Ysidro, and once inside the United States, they turn themselves over to federal officials whom they ask for asylum.

CBP indicated that It has been the method used by the majority of 6,400 Russian asylum seekers and some 1,000 Ukrainians between October 1when the fiscal year began, and the end of January.

Those are the most recent statistics available, but an official told EFE on condition of anonymity that immigrants of both nationalities they have come more insistently since Russia began invading Ukraine on February 24.

According to that official, Russians and Ukrainians fly from Europe to Mexico City or to Mexican tourist destinations, then travel to the city of Tijuana, buy cheap used cars and cross the border to ask for asylum.

He noted that asylum seekers from Russia and Ukraine, unlike those from most Latin American countries, Once they report that they are requesting asylum, they can continue their asylum processes alongside their relatives and close friends.

Meanwhile, for the rest of the immigrants, the administration of President Joe Biden has maintained the Title 42 mechanism, a health provision from the Donald Trump era (2017-2021), with which border agents are authorized to immediately send Mexican soil to asylum seekers, as a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (I)