Mexico: Refugees in Their Own Land

The smell of humidity and overcrowding permeates everything. In an old municipal auditorium in a town in Chiapas, more than 100 people—including children, women, the elderly, and men of faith—share the same roof, two bathrooms, and a story of flight that few know. They didn’t cross a border, and no official document labels them as “refugees” — but that’s what they are: refugees in their own land.

In late July 2024, these evangelical families fled from their community, Zanelán*, located in an indigenous region of Chiapas, after enduring days of terror under the control of organized crime groups.

Their “crime” was refusing to take sides in a war that was not theirs. Their peaceful resistance was punished by criminal groups through illegal detention, death threats, and the complete dispossession of their homes.

Today, almost a year later, they continue to survive under emergency conditions. They remain invisible to the system, sustained by a faith that is not easily uprooted.
 

The Beginning of the Odyssey

This was not the first time something like this had happened in Zanelán. In January 2024, the community was caught in the crossfire when two criminal groups began disputing the territory.

The village found itself in the middle of an all-out war. According to Open Doors investigation, a criminal group eventually took control of the town and began forcibly recruiting men. They visited homes with a veiled threat: “Either you are with us, or you are with the enemy.”

Evangelical Christians refused to respond with violence or submission. Instead, they chose to remain neutral—a decision perceived as betrayal. “They told us, ‘If you don’t want to join, then you’ll have to leave.’ But we didn’t want problems. We wanted to stay in our town because we are people of peace,” explains Martha*, one of the affected Christians.
 
  As months passed, the pressure intensified. Armed men shot at their house and threw stones to intimidate them. “We knelt to pray, asking God to protect our family. They wanted to kill two of my brothers, but God is great and delivered them from danger” she adds. From January to June, more than 100 Christians decided to leave the community.

By July, the criminals' response turned brutal for those who decided to stay. A total of 109 people were kidnapped and locked inside an abandoned school for nine days. They were denied food, rest, and reassurance of survival. During this time, the criminals demanded they take sides, and they contacted the state government seeking ransom—receiving no response. The most chilling threat followed: if their demands were not met within 72 hours, the detainees would be executed.

The intervention of the Mexican Army and the National Guard prevented a massacre. The criminals fled, and in the chaos, the evangelical families escaped. More than 200 people fled that day—without belongings, without a destination—knowing only one thing: staying behind was a death sentence.
 

A Makeshift Shelter, a Prolonged Crisis

While some displaced people are trying to rebuild their lives in nearby communities—most of them unemployed or working informal jobs, living in cramped rented rooms, and sleeping on floors without furniture or belongings—a large portion of the families who fled in July were temporarily relocated to the municipal auditorium of Yolantik*, another community in Chiapas, where over 100 people arrived. Conditions remain dire: only two bathrooms are available for everyone, there are no showers, no privacy, and even the most basic necessities for a dignified life are lacking.
 
  Institutional aid has been minimal—just a few mattresses and food supplies, still far from sufficient. In August 2024, Open Doors learned about the case and delivered humanitarian aid, including food, clothes, and shoes, since many had fled barefoot. “The brothers looked discouraged, fearful, and deeply in need. They lost everything during their displacement,” reported a field operator.
 

Survival Needs Are Growing

Surveys conducted in early 2025 by Open Doors reveal an unsettling truth: the needs of these families have not diminished—they’ve only increased. Food shortages, unemployment, social discrimination, and lack of access to basic services now define their daily reality.

The stories behind the statistics are even more painful. Mariana*, who was eight months pregnant at the time of her displacement, recalls, “The violence was so intense that all I could think about was my baby.” Her son was later born with a heart murmur. Today, she and her husband Alfredo* struggle to pay for medical appointments, medicine, transportation, food, and a roof under which their baby can safely rest.

Discouragement often weighs heavily on the displaced believers. “We lost everything—the house, the crops, even the fruit trees. Before, if I wanted an orange, I’d just pick one. Now I have to decide whether to buy one… or save the money to pay rent,” says Rosario*, a young single mother.
 

A Lifeline of Support

What was meant to be a temporary shelter has turned into a state of limbo lasting nearly a year. In total, more than 300 people were displaced from Zanelán; around 100 still live in overcrowded conditions inside the municipal auditorium, while many others remain in hiding, fearful that the criminal groups might discover their whereabouts and come after them.
 
  Some have tried to find new housing within the same municipality, only to face new forms of exclusion: home renters doubling prices when they know the brother's origin, or overcrowded dwellings where up to 20 people share one room, no mattresses or furniture, and lives stuck in uncertainty.

Throughout this ordeal, Open Doors—alongside local partners—has supported the displaced Christian families with psychological care, food, medical services, spiritual counselling, and assistance for more than 50 children dealing with trauma. The ministry also addresses severe malnutrition among children and provides medication and care for those suffering from chronic illnesses.

Essential items like beds, stoves, and refrigerators have been distributed, and monthly financial support has been offered to help them survive. Currently, Open Doors actively supports over 250 Christians—but the need far outweighs the aid available. The scars of losing everything will take a long time to heal.


Children in the shelter doing an activity with Open Doors' partners during a visit
 

A Silent Crisis

This World Refugee Day, the story of these families from Chiapas should serve as a wake-up call.

“They are people displaced by their faith—forced to abandon everything they knew and loved, carrying with them broken memories but an indomitable spirit,” says Ana*, a member of the Open Doors team who has made multiple visits to encourage the displaced believers.
 
  “Your visits embrace our hearts. Thank you for reminding us that we are not alone,” said Jorge*, a grateful recipient of the ministry’s support, during one of the pastoral visits held every 15 days.

These Christians are not in international refugee camps. They have not crossed any border the global community officially recognizes. But their suffering is just as real.

This World Refugee Day reminds us that while not all displaced people cross international borders, every displaced person deserves dignity, rights, and the chance to rebuild their life.

*Names changed for security reasons