Entering through the Mexican border
The number of Russians seeking asylum after entering the United States through the Mexican border has increased significantly, The Associated Press reported. When Russian President Vladimir Putin started a pre-suspending operation to suppress domestic opposition before and after the invasion of Ukraine, oppositionists, activists, and journalists from Putin flock to the United States to escape political repression. The anti-Russian procession is expected to intensify if sanctions against Russia are implemented in earnest.
According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 8,610 Russians applied for asylum through the San Diego checkpoint, which borders Mexico from June last year to January this year, a 35-fold increase compared to the same period last year.
The reason why Russians are concentrated here is that the procedure for entering the United States directly is difficult. In addition, the New York Times reported that the visa issuance process at the US embassy in Russia is not being carried out properly due to the strained relations between the US and Russia due to the recent crisis in Ukraine.
Most of the Russians who want to go to the United States arrive in Cancun, a resort city in southeastern Mexico as tourists, move to Tijuana, the northern border, and then go to the San Diego checkpoint. Unlike Latin Americans who try to cross border illegally, they say that they often pass through checkpoints in a purchased used car or rental car. If caught, they will wait in a facility for illegal immigrants and go through asylum procedures.
