Long wait for Mexicans seeking US asylum

Violence has been increasing in Mexico as drugs cartels continue to battle it out for territorial control, prompting a growing number of civilians caught in the deadly crossfire to seek political asylum in the US.

Kidnappings have become such a common threat to Mexican human activists and journalists that they are among the largest numbers of people seeking safety in the US.

But the US government grants a relatively low number of asylum requests to them compared to people from other countries.

Last year, for example, the US government granted nearly 40 per cent of all asylum requests from Chinese exiles, while only two per cent of Mexicans got approval.

Al Jazeera's Franc Contreras reports from El Paso, Texas.