Thousands of Russians in Mexico Awaiting Asylum Claim

Alma Ruth, founder, and director of Practice Mercy Foundation said that an estimated 5,000 Russians is waiting south of the Mexican border for their chance to cross over into the United States and claim asylum. Ruth said that in the Mexican town of Reynosa, for example, about 300 Russians are waiting to cross the Rio Grande River into South Texas.

“It has slowly grown the amount of Russians that are coming to Mexico to request asylum due to the situation in the region,” Ruth said Wednesday at the foot of the McAllen-Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge.

Most Russians who come to Mexico are fairly wealthy, she said. They fly into northern border towns and can rent apartments or Airbnb until they can cross the border. They need help with language and navigating cultural issues, including operating the CBP One app that U.S. Customs and Border Protection now requires them to use to schedule an asylum interview appointment at a port of entry.