Migrant Shelter Hosts Global Residents in Puerto Aventuras

Puerto Aventuras, Mexico — The Migrant Care Unit is maintaining an active temporary shelter located in Puerto Aventuras, where eight individuals of various nationalities are currently staying, according to its director, Claudia Mendoza.

The residents include a Colombian family with minors, a United States citizen, a German national, a Cuban national, and another individual recently deported from the United States.

According to the official, these cases reflect the diversity of profiles seeking support in the municipality.

“We do not only receive people from Guatemala, El Salvador, or Nicaragua. We receive migrants from all over the world who require orientation, documentation, or temporary refuge,” she explained.

The shelter functions as an immediate support space while each case is referred to the National Migration Institute (INM), consulates, the municipal DIF system, or civil associations.

The maximum length of stay is 15 days, a period during which officials seek to resolve the migrant’s immigration status or provide alternatives for assisted return to their countries of origin.

Among the current cases, the Colombian family arrived fleeing situations of violence and is in the process of applying for residency. In other cases, adults with expired residency permits were left homeless and were referred by their respective consulates.

Mendoza explained that the unit receives daily inquiries about regularization, document renewal, and legal orientation.

A significant percentage corresponds to individuals who have been living in the city for years without having updated their legal status.

“We have had people who have been living in Playa del Carmen for 20 years without documents. Regularization allows them to obtain better employment, access to healthcare, and guarantees their rights,” she stated.

She said many are unaware that if they have Mexican children or direct family ties, they can apply for temporary or permanent residency.