Migrants in San Luis, Mexico, await asylum journeys to the United States

Migrants at the Shelter Don Chon in San Luis, Mexico, are waiting to continue their journeys to seek asylum in the United States. Occupants of the shelter include individuals seeking better lives for their families and those facing long delays in the immigration process.

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services notes that asylum decisions can take up to six years. To address the backlog, an interim rule now allows some asylum applications to be referred directly to immigration judges without an initial interview.

Shelter founder Ascension Serna stated that many migrants are willing to face significant hardships to cross the border because staying in their home cities poses a risk to their lives.