CANCUN, MEXICO – For the past six months, the busy halls of Cancun International Airport’s Terminal 2 have been home to an unexpected resident: 52-year-old American citizen Laure Rachelle La France. With no plane ticket in hand and a story of misfortune, Laure has been navigating a life of uncertainty within one of Mexico’s most popular travel hubs. Spanish news outlet Por Esto first brought her situation to light, reporting she has been there since December 2024.
A Daily Struggle for Survival
Laure’s existence at the airport is a far cry from the vacationers passing through. She says she gets by on the kindness of strangers – food and other help given by tourists and airport workers. “I live off the food they give me,” Laure has told local reporters. Her belongings are few, usually kept with her as she spends her days mostly outside the terminal. At night, she is reportedly allowed back inside to use the restrooms and try to find a place to sleep.
How Did She End Up Here?
Laure’s story is a troubling one. She claims she came to Mexico with the hope of finding a relative. However, she says this journey took a dark turn when she fell victim to an organized crime group involved in human trafficking. During this terrible experience, Laure says her official documents, including her passport, were taken from her. This has left her unable to prove her identity easily or travel legally. She also has no money to buy a ticket or find other accommodation.
Desperate for a Way Out
Laure, who is also said to have French roots and connections to the US Virgin Islands, desperately wants to leave her current situation. Her preferred destinations are the United States or a European country like France or Belgium, where she might be able to seek help due to her ancestry.
However, getting help has proven incredibly difficult. She reportedly approached the French embassy but was told they couldn’t assist because she has a U.S. passport. U.S. authorities, on the other hand, have apparently said she needs to travel to Mexico City to get help from the embassy there. This is a trip Laure says she cannot afford to make. Without documents or money, she is stuck.
"Vivo de la comida que me regalan": Laure, turista estadounidense, cuenta cómo sobrevive en el aeropuerto de Cancún😨https://t.co/G2INlSTZWY
— Por Esto! Online (@PorEstoOnline) May 21, 2025
Growing Concerns for Her Health
Those who see Laure regularly at the airport, especially employees, are becoming increasingly worried about her. They have noticed that her health seems to be getting worse. She has reportedly lost a lot of weight and often appears very tired. There have also been reports of her sometimes acting aggressively which points to the severe stress and poor living conditions she is enduring.
Official Response and Current Situation
So far, Mexican authorities, including the National Institute of Migration (INM) and the National Guard, have not officially stepped in to move Laure or place her in a shelter. Reports suggest this is because she has not broken any laws or committed any crime while at the airport. She is in a kind of limbo – not a typical tourist, but not a lawbreaker either.
As of late May 2025, Laure Rachelle La France continues her unusual and difficult life at the Cancun airport. Her situation highlights the challenges that can face individuals who find themselves stranded in a foreign country without money, documents, or an easy way to get help. For now, the bustling airport remains her unwilling home, and her future is uncertain.
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Rob
Sunday 25th of May 2025
So very said ! The us embassy should be able to replace her passport