Regla Martínez, 70, abandoned her plan to reach the US and decided to settle in Mexico due to President Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant campaign.

Marta, along with her children Elier (41) and Niurka (48), flew from Havana to Managua, Nicaragua, where they continued their journey northward by bus. Despite having family in the United States, both Marta and Niurka have chosen to settle in Mexico due to Trump’s strict immigration policies.

“Plan B”: With the U.S. door closed, migrants seek asylum in Mexico

Cuban migrants are increasingly opting for Mexico instead of the United States due to President Donald Trump’s anti-immigration campaign.

• Background: Cubans were once favored in U.S. immigration policies following the 1959 revolution, but these benefits have diminished over time under Trump’s administration.
• Trump’s Policies: The current U.S. president has paused humanitarian programs for Cuban, Venezuelan, Nicaraguan, and Haitian migrants initiated by his predecessor, Joe Biden.
• Mexico as Refuge: As a result of Trump’s policies, many Cubans are now opting to seek refuge in Mexico instead of the U.S.

Key Points

• Cuban Migration Shift: Due to Trump’s anti-immigrant policies, Cubans are choosing Mexico over the U.S., despite family ties there.
• Economic Factors: The Trump administration has restricted benefits for Cuban migrants under programs like those established by Biden, leading many to reconsider their destination.
• Increase in Refugee Requests: Mexico received over 8,000 refugee requests from Cubans between January and March of this year, according to the UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees (ACNUR).

Cuban Migrants Adjust Plans Due to Trump’s Policies

At 70 years old, Regla Martínez left Cuba aiming to reunite with her daughter and grandchildren in the United States. However, she ultimately decided to settle only in Mexico due to President Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant campaign.

“I have a daughter and four grandchildren” in the U.S., but now her plan is to go “to Mexico and work there,” explains the woman to AFP at the Danlí migratory post in Honduras, near the border with Nicaragua.

Key Points:

• Cuban Migrants Alter Plans Due to Trump’s Policies: Regla Martínez, 70, and her children Elier (41) and Niurka (48) initially aimed for the US but chose to settle in Mexico due to Trump’s anti-immigrant campaign.
• Shift in Migration Trends: Cubans, once favored in the US, now face harsh restrictions under Trump. They’ve turned to Mexico as a “Plan B,” with over 8,000 refugee claims filed in Mexico from Jan-Mar 2025, according to UNHCR.
• Policy Changes: Trump has paused humanitarian program benefits for Cuban migrants initiated by Biden and militarized the U.S.-Mexico border to prevent illegal entries.

Stories of Resignation

Regla Martínez, 70, left Cuba to join her daughter and grandchildren in the U.S., but decided to settle only in Mexico due to Trump’s anti-migrant campaign. She plans to work there instead.

Accompanied by her children Elier (41) and Niurka (48), Regla flew from Havana to Managua, then continued north by bus with other migrants whose final destination remains uncertain. Niurka also rejects going to the U.S., despite her 24-year-old daughter living there.

Refugee Requests

Cuban migrants, once favored in the U.S. post-1959 revolution, have seen their benefits dwindle over recent years under Trump’s administration.

Now, they are treated without special consideration by Trump, who paused benefits from humanitarian programs initiated by his predecessor, Joe Biden, for Cuban, Venezuelan, Nicaraguan, and Haitian migrants.

México Receives Over 8,000 Refugee Requests from Cubans (ACNUR)

From January to March of this year, Mexico received more than 8,000 refugee requests from Cubans, over half of the total requests, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Cuban Migrants Adjust to Mexican Dream Amid Trump’s Campaign

At 70 years old, Regla Martínez left Cuba to reunite with her daughter and grandchildren in the United States. However, she ultimately decided to only reach Mexico due to President Donald Trump‘s anti-migrant campaign.

“I have a daughter and four grandchildren” in the U.S., but now her plan is to “go just to Mexico and work there,” she tells AFP at the Danlí migratory post in Honduras, near the Nicaraguan border.

Key Points

• Cuban migrants are turning to Mexico instead of the U.S.
• Donald Trump’s policies have discouraged Cubans from seeking asylum in the U.S., leading many to settle in Mexico.
• México received over 8,000 refugee requests from Cubans from January to March.
• Many Cubans are opting for Mexico instead of the U.S., citing fears of deportation and stricter immigration policies under Trump.
• Trump’s administration has also militarized the border with Mexico, aimed at preventing illegal entries, and plans to revoke legal status for hundreds of thousands of immigrants from Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Haiti.

Cuban Refugees Settle for Mexican Dream Amid Trump’s Policies

Regla Martínez, 70 years old, abandoned her plans to reach the United States and decided to stay in Mexico due to President Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant campaign.

Martínez, along with her children Elier (41) and Niurka (48), flew from Havana to Managua, then traveled by bus with other migrants. Her destination is unclear, but she plans to work in Mexico where her daughter can visit them.

Solicitudes de refugio

Cubans were once favored migrants in the U.S., but their benefits have dwindled over recent years under Trump’s policies.

Now, they are treated harshly by Trump, who has paused humanitarian program benefits for Cuban, Venezuelan, Nicaraguan, and Haitian migrants established by his predecessor, Joe Biden.

• México recibe más de 8,000 solicitudes de refugio de cubanos
• Trump’s anti-immigrant campaign leads Cubans to settle in Mexico instead of the US

Cuban Migrants Settle for Mexican Dream Amid Trump’s Campaign

Regla Martínez, 70, abandoned her plan to reach the United States due to President Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant policies.

Along with her children Elier and Niurka, Regla flew from Havana to Managua, Nicaragua, intending to travel north. However, they now plan to settle in Mexico instead, where Niurka’s 24-year-old daughter can visit them.

Background on Cuban Migration

Cubans were once favored migrants in the US following the 1959 revolution. However, their benefits have diminished over time under Trump’s administration.

• Trump’s Policies: He has paused humanitarian program benefits for Cubans, Venezuelans, Nicaraguans, and Haitians established by his predecessor, Joe Biden.
• Militarization of the Border: Trump has militarized the border with Mexico to prevent unauthorized entries and plans to revoke legal status for 500,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans.
• Decrease in U.S.-Bound Migration: The number of migrants crossing through Honduras has significantly dropped this year due to fears of deportation.

Cuban Migrants Settle for Mexican Dream Amid Trump’s Policies

At 70 years old, Regla Martínez left Cuba to reunite with her daughter and grandchildren in the United States. However, she has since decided to only reach Mexico due to President Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant campaign.

• Regla Martínez: 70 years old, left Cuba for the U.S., but now plans to stay in Mexico instead.
• Daughter and grandchildren: In the U.S., but not the destination for Regla and her children.
• Elier (son): 41 years old, accompanies his mother on this journey.
• Niurka (daughter): 48 years old, also decides against going to the U.S., preferring to stay in Mexico where her daughter can visit them.

Cuban Migrants Settle for Mexican Dream Amidst Trump’s Policies

Regla Martínez, 70 years old, left Cuba to reunite with her daughter and grandchildren in the U.S., but ultimately decided to stop only in Mexico due to President Donald Trump’s‘s anti-migrant campaign.

• “I have a daughter and four grandchildren” in the U.S.,” she explains to AFP at the Danlí migration checkpoint in Honduras, near Nicaragua’s border. “Now I plan to go only as far as Mexico and work there,” says the 70-year-old woman.
• Trump’s anti-immigrant campaign has led Regla Martínez and her children to modify their plans, choosing Mexico instead of the United States.

México como alternativa ante políticas restrictivas de Trump

From January to March of this year, Mexico received more than 8,000 asylum requests from Cubans, more than half of the total, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

At 70 years old, Regla Martínez left Cuba to reunite with her daughter and grandchildren in the United States. However, she ultimately decided to reach only Mexico due to President Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant campaign.

Regla Martínez, accompanied by her children Elier (41) and Niurka (48), flew from Havana to Managua on a charter flight. They then continued north in a bus, joining other migrants with uncertain destinations.

Niurka, despite her daughter living in the U.S., has decided to stay in Mexico where her daughter can visit them. Similarly, Regla Martínez plans to work in Mexico instead of proceeding to the U.S.

Impact of Trump’s Policies

Cuban migrants, once favored by the U.S., are now facing restrictions under President Donald Trump’s policies. These include pausing benefits from humanitarian programs established by former President Joe Biden for Cubans, Venezuelans, Nicaraguans, and Haitians.

• Trump has militarized the U.S.-Mexico border to prevent irregular migration.
• He plans to revoke legal status for half a million Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans, giving them weeks to leave the U.S.
• The President has also sent hundreds of migrants, mostly Asian, to Costa Rica and Panama (as transit countries).

Cuban Migrants Adjust to Mexican Dream Amid Trump’s Policies

In the first quarter of 2025, Mexico received over 8,000 asylum requests from Cubans, more than half of the total applications, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (ACNUR).

70-year-old Regla Martínez, who left Cuba to reunite with her daughter and grandchildren in the US, decided instead to only reach Mexico due to President Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant campaign.

“I have a daughter and four grandchildren” in the US, but now the plan is to go “to Mexico and work there,” explains the 70-year-old Regla Martínez to AFP at the Danlí migratory post in Honduras, on the border with Nicaragua.

México Receives Thousands of Cuban Refugee Requests Amid Trump’s Anti-Immigrant Campaign

From January to March of this year, Mexico received over 8,000 asylum requests from Cubans, more than half of the total requests, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

At 70 years old, Regla Martínez left Cuba to reunite with her daughter and grandchildren in the United States. However, she ultimately decided to only reach Mexico due to President Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant campaign.

“I have a daughter and four grandchildren” in the U.S., but now her plan is “to go as far as Mexico and work there,” she tells AFP at the Danlí migratory post in Honduras, near the border with Nicaragua.

Refugee Requests

Cubans were once privileged migrants to the U.S. after the 1959 revolution, but their benefits have gradually diminished in recent years.

Now, they are treated without favor by Trump, who has paused humanitarian program benefits for Cuban, Venezuelan, Nicaraguan, and Haitian migrants established by his predecessor, Joe Biden.

Cuban Refugee Requests in Mexico

From January to March of this year, Mexico received over 8,000 refugee requests from Cubans, more than half of the total requests, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (ACNUR).

Regla Martínez’s Story

At 70 years old, Regla Martínez left Cuba to reunite with her daughter and grandchildren in the United States. However, due to President Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant campaign, she decided to settle only in Mexico.

“I have a daughter and four grandchildren” in the U.S., but now the plan is to go “only to Mexico and work there,” explains the woman to AFP at the Danlí migratory post, on the border with Nicaragua.

Key Points

• Migrant Shift: Cubans are changing their destination from the U.S. to Mexico due to Trump’s anti-immigrant policies.
• Economic Factors: Many, like 70-year-old Regla Martínez, opt for Mexico to work instead of risking deportation in the U.S.
• Reduced US Benefits: Trump’s administration has paused humanitarian programs for Cuban migrants established by former President Joe Biden.
• Increased Refugee Applications in Mexico: From January to March, Mexico received over 8,000 refugee applications from Cubans, according to the UNHCR.

Cuban Migrants Settle for Mexican Dream Amid Trump’s Policies

Regla Martínez, a 70-year-old Cuban woman, abandoned her journey to the United States in favor of settling in Mexico due to President Donald Trump‘s anti-immigrant campaign. Despite having family in the US, she decided to work and live in Mexico instead.

Regla Martínez is accompanied by her children Elier (41) and Niurka (48). They flew from Havana to Managua and are now traveling north via bus, joining other migrants with uncertain destinations.

Niurka, despite having a 24-year-old daughter in the U.S., has also decided against going there. “I don’t worry about reaching there at this moment; I want to stay in Mexico where my daughter can visit us,” she tells AFP.

Refugee Requests

Cuban migrants, once favored in the U.S., have seen their benefits dwindle under Trump’s policies. The President has paused humanitarian program benefits for Cubans, Venezuelans, Nicaraguans, and Haitians established by his predecessor, Joe Biden.

• México receives over 8,000 refugee requests from Cubans in January-March 2025, according to the UNHCR.
• In 2024, Mexico received 17,884 refugee requests from Cubans out of a total of 79,000.

Regla Martínez, 70 years old, left Cuba to reunite with her daughter and grandchildren in the United States. However, she decided to stop in Mexico due to Trump’s anti-immigrant campaign.

Regla is accompanied by her children Elier (41) and Niurka (48), who also chose not to continue the journey to the United States. Niurka’s 24-year-old daughter lives there, but she prefers to stay in Mexico where her child can visit them.

Solicitudes de Refugio

Cubanos, previously favored migrants in the United States post-1959 revolution, now face restrictions under President Donald Trump’s policies. Their special treatment has been phased out, and they are no longer prioritized.

Trump paused benefits from humanitarian programs initiated by his predecessor, Joe Biden, affecting migrants from Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Haiti. This shift has led many to reconsider their destinations.

“Plan B”: Con la puerta cerrada en Estados Unidos, migrantes piden refugio en México

• Regla Martínez, de 70 años, abandonó Cuba para reunirse con su hija y nietas en Estados Unidos. Sin embargo, debido a la campaña antimigratoria del presidente Donald Trump, decidió llegar solo hasta México.
• “Tengo una hija y cuatro nietos” en Estados Unidos, pero ahora el plan es trabajar en México”, explica Regla Martínez a la AFP en el puesto migratorio de Danlí, Honduras.
• Niurka, hija de Martínez, también ha descartado ir a Estados Unidos, a pesar de que vive su nieta allá: “No me preocupa llegar allá en este momento, quiero quedarme en México, adonde mi hija pueda venir a visitarnos”, indica a la AFP.