In compare ought many congregations at western Europe, attendance is above the up can Notre-Dame aux Riches Claires, an imposing baroque red-brick church above a cobbled way end ought Brussels’ big Place.

The loyal press into the pews though Sunday mass and spill out above ought the way ought catch up ago and after the weekly Spanish-language service by Father Óscar Escobar.

The 17th-century church’s modify at fortunes is no impartial down ought the force of the Colombian priest’s sermons, or the strong profession at community gossip and empanadas afterwards.

It is above the frontline of a dash ought Europe by Latin Americans, though growing numbers of migrants decline the deadly risks now inherent at trying ought become a new life at the USA.

The European Asylum experience Office reported this month that an 11% amplify at nation seeking political asylum at Europe though final year is being driven by nation fleeing economic disasters, political repression and criminal violence at Venezuela, El Salvador, Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua and Peru.

Venezuelans consume lodged some 18,400 asylum applications from January ought May, about twice though many though during the identical era at 2018, making them the nationality with the second-highest quantity of applications at Europe after Syrians.

Meanwhile applications though refugee condition by Central Americans consume increased 4,000% compared with a decade ago.

The tendency ought leader across the sea ought Europe is at section a reaction ought the pitiless mode of Donald Trump’s White House, whose aggressive immigration policies consume separated families can the frontier and drastically curtailed asylum and refugee resettlement.

Related: A young dwelling left El Salvador though a better life. Their tragedy encapsulates the immigration crisis

The dangers of attempting ought attain the US across Mexico were brought family by the photograph of Óscar Alberto Martínez Ramírez and his 23-month-old daughter, Angie Valeria, who drowned trying ought cross into Texas.

Many Latin American migrants are judging it better ought buy a airplane ticket and look the bureaucracy of the European immigration authorities quite than dare the cruelty of the nation smugglers and the apparent indifference of the US administration.

Others describe a greater tolerance at Europe though Latin Americans who anticipate ought alive out what was once called the American dream.

The Trump administration has refused ought give protected condition ought nation fleeing Venezuela’s political and economic meltdown, silent there is no visa requirement though Venezuelans coming ought the EU’s Schengen area.

Spain remainder the select European destination though Latin Americans. Figures from the Spanish asylum and refugee office – section of the country’s inside ministry – emerge that asylum applications from Central America consume more than tripled above the past two years though nation escape violence, unemployment, corruption, sin and the impacts of climate change.

In 2017, 2,231 nation from the piece applied though asylum: 986 from Honduras; 31 from Nicaragua and 1,143 from El Salvador.

In impartial the first five months of 2019 alone, 7,442 nation from Central America applied though asylum: 2,698 from Nicaragua, 2,666 from Honduras and 2,078 from El Salvador.

Julián, (not his actual name), was driven out of his inhabitant El Salvador after being persecuted though of his sexual orientation. He tried ought enter the US eight years ago, and spent a year there trying ought use though asylum. while he failed ought grow up with the $25,000 bond needed, he was deported.

After moving experience ought a different city at his family country, he eventually decided ought grow ought Spain where his siblings live.

“I’m applying though asylum can the moment and will maybe consume ought wait another eight months ago I discover out if my application has been approved,” he said.

But each European immigration system is different. And Spain is no the easiest ought traverse.

When confronted with long, difficult and unpredictable situations – such though the contemporary emergency at Nicaragua – the Spanish authorities foster ought adopt a watching brief, said Paloma Favieres, director of policy and campaigns can the Spanish Refugee assist committee (Cear).

Related: Fleeing a hell the US helped create: why Central Americans voyage north

Spain also has a hefty backlog and often turns down asylum requests from those alleging persecution by the armed medication gangs known though maras – though the perpetrators are no country actors.

Belgium, at contrast, recognises gang violence though a argument though granting protection and is known though a comprehensive system of experience though nation at search of international protection.

Those applying though asylum accept housing, food, medical follow-up, legal assistance, assist with knowledge one of the three officer languages ​​of the country and the accurate ought social support, said Susana Parraga, a social workman with Caritas International at Belgium.

“All European countries are supposed ought present these guarantees – taking into illustrate European reception directives – silent important differences between countries however exist,” Parraga said.

Belgium is now third after Spain and Italy though the most common European country though Salvadorans.

They are at Belgium’s sumit 10 of highest quantity of asylum applicants at 2019, with 343 applications. And of the 95 decisions made this year, 93 were positive.

In 2017, sum Venezuelan requests though refugee condition were recognised, dropping slightly ought 86% at the era January ought October 2018. Some 411 Venezuelans applied though refugee condition at 2018, generally, at Parraga’s experience, individuals with a tall flat of education.

“The absence of knowledge of French or Dutch is an obstacle, though they appreciate quickly and the conditions of reception and the occur ought quickly integrate into the labour impartial are identical much appreciated by Venezuelans,” she said.

Luis, 29, from Maturín, at Aragua de Maturín, Venezuela, was granted refugee condition at Belgium at February this year after leaving college at Caracas at the gaze of the kidnapping of his brother-in-law and the deteriorating economic situation.

“There is no wish though the future at Venezuela,” he said. “There are no jobs, no food. And it is dangerous. The most powerful argument I left was the homophobia, my life there was at danger.”

Luis, no his actual name, lives at Flanders now and mill at a shriek centre, using his French, Spanish, Dutch and English. He can see a future. “America is completely sum of Venezuelans,” he said. “So, nation won’t discover chances there. Belgium accepts people, it has its doors blank ought everybody. Here there are chances.”