Why More Migrants Are Choosing To Call Mexico Home

In cities near Mexico’s southern border, such as Tapachula and Chetumal, groups of immigrants recently gathered to mark International Migrants Day on December 18.

For an increasing number of these migrants, the hope is not to cross into the United States but to gain legal status and build a new life in Mexico itself. 

This shift reflects a broader trend. For many from Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, Mexico is increasingly becoming a permanent destination, not just a transit route.

This change is closely tied to stricter U.S. immigration policies in recent years, particularly during the Trump administration, which made it far more difficult to reach the United States. 

Instead of risking the dangerous journey north, thousands are choosing to stay. Testimonies from migrants and Mexican authorities alike confirm that the country is transforming from a corridor into a new home.

Despite understanding that Mexico is no utopia, growing numbers of people are seeking jobs, legal residency, and a chance to belong. Mexico’s southern border region has responded by expanding services for newcomers, offering medical care, legal advice, and support with residency applications.

Take the story of Susan Niquerol Martin, a Cuban woman who now holds Mexican residency. She once dreamed of reaching the United States but has since changed her plans. “For people who have their papers in Mexico, there is an opportunity to find work and have a better quality of life than in their home country,” she explained while in Tapachula, a major hub of migration in the Americas. “I have my residency, thank God. I am happy to rebuild my life here, looking for job opportunities and more.” She expressed deep gratitude to Mexico, a feeling echoed by many.

Susan was one of hundreds of migrants, many from Cuba and Haiti, who attended the International Migrants Day event. There, they visited stands run by government and civil society groups, receiving everything from medical check-ups and legal counseling to clothing, food, and toys for their children.

The migrants spoke of feeling welcomed and included in Mexico, thankful for the chance to remain after the hardships of their journey. As a result, the primary goal for many is no longer crossing the northern border. Obtaining legal status in Mexico allows them to work, provide for their families, and settle permanently.

One of the reasons many migrants cited for why Mexico felt like home included similarities with their home countries and the fact that living in Mexico did not require them to learn a new language to aspire to better jobs. This makes sense, as due to its size and status as a cultural juggernaut in Latin America, many migrants from the region feel somewhat familiar with Mexico even before arriving. 

Migration From The United States and Europe

Mexico has long been a popular retirement destination. Still, a growing number of young professionals from across the world are starting to see Mexico as an opportunity to build a better life. 

This is true even for citizens of the United States, especially those with Hispanic heritage and people of color, as well as Citizens of the European Union, including Spain and Italy. This trend often sees individuals and families from “the first world” bring their savings to Mexico to start a business.

“The American Dream for me is now to be able to save enough money, move to Mexico, work part-time, and live a calm life without having to worry about insurance and all the insanity going on in the United States,” said Guillermo Aguilera, a 36-year-old computer programmer currently waiting to get his permanent residency in Mexico. 

Then there are the digital nomads who choose to live in Mexico while continuing to work remotely in their home country. 

Another major factor driving migration is that, though far from perfect, Mexico does have a form of universal healthcare and a much more relaxed attitude towards generic prescription drugs, which can sometimes cost a tenth of what they do in countries like the United States. 

Paths Towards Residency and Citizenship

Mexico now offers several ways for migrants from Central and South America to become legal residents. This is a big change from the past, as the country works to help newcomers settle in rather than pass through.

Migrants can apply for this by showing they have a job offer in Mexico, enough money to support themselves, or close family members who are already Mexican citizens or residents. This process is handled by Mexico’s National Immigration Institute (INM).

For people from neighboring countries, there is a special agreement. Citizens of Belize and Guatemala can get a Regional Visitor Card. This lets them enter and move freely in Mexico’s southern border states for short visits to shop or work in small businesses.

The Mexican government has also created special, time-limited programs to help large groups of people who arrived without papers. In 2022, a major program gave four-year temporary resident cards to tens of thousands of people who had already been living in Mexico. This card allowed them to work legally, see a doctor, and open a bank account.

There is also a permanent option based on building a life in the community, sometimes called “rootedness.” If someone can prove they have lived in Mexico continuously for years, have a job, and have put down roots, they may apply for permanent residency.

For people fleeing danger, Mexico has a humanitarian protection system. The Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance, or COMAR, processes asylum claims for those escaping violence or persecution. While this system can be slow, it provides a crucial legal path. The INM can also grant humanitarian visas to vulnerable people, such as crime victims or unaccompanied children, so that they can stay temporarily.

Most recently, Mexico started a temporary program called México Solidario. This one-year program is for nationals from specific countries, including Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba, Colombia, and Nicaragua. It is designed to provide people stuck in southern Mexico with a legal alternative to traveling north, allowing them to live, work, and study in the country.

To help people access these options, the government and aid groups support centers in key locations along the migration route. In cities like Tapachula, these centers offer legal advice to explain the different programs, provide medical care, assist with paperwork, and provide food and other necessities.

The Downsides

Mexico, however, is not for everyone, and for every success story, plenty of people choose to return home. Despite wage increases, these remain extremely low in much of the country.

Then there is the fact that Mexico is no stranger to xenophobia and racism, which is often driven by the perception that foreigners are taking Mexican jobs or not paying their fair share of taxes, as is the case with digital nomads.

It is also the case that opportunities tend to be more attractive for immigrants who are white, even though statistically only 10-12% of Mexican’s are “white themselves”.