Thousands of migrants in Mexico have chosen to work in the informal economy After withdrawing his attempt to reach the United States due to the immigration policies of the former president Donald Trump.
The lack of response from the Mexican government to regularize or grant them asylum has led them to perform in trades such as Masses, merchants and sex workers on the southern border of the country.
Migrants in informality in the absence of opportunities
In cities like Tapachulathe largest in southern Mexico, migrants work as street vendors, chefs, waiters, carpenters, blacksmiths and nursesas found EFE.
One of them is the Cuban Alexander Barrera Serranowho has faced the bureaucracy of the Mexican Commission for Refugee Aid (Comar) Without success. Before the refusal of his process twice, he decided to partner with a Mexican to open a carpentry and survive in informality.
“It was difficult because we come without resources, here the amparo is money. I have a business with a partner and from there comes the rent of the premises,” Alexander Barrera explained.
The impact of immigration policies in Mexico
Mexico has received 24,413 deported migrants in the First eight weeks of Trump’s administrationincluding 4,567 foreignersaccording to the president Claudia Sheinbaum.
The Mexican government gives the Deported Mexican migrants the Paisan welfare cardwith a support from 2 thousand Mexican pesos (approximately 100 dollars)in addition to assistance to find employment. However, to foreign migrants in Mexico They are only given help to regularize their status or return to their countries of origin.
Luis Rey García Villagrán, president of the Human Dignification Center (CDH)denounced that migrants face labor exploitationreceiving salaries below the right thing due to your irregular condition.
“There are about 30,000 underemployed migrants, working in markets and streets for wages of up to 180 pesos ($ 9) per day, from sun to sun,” Luis García said.
Migrants who decide to stay in Mexico
Given the restrictions in the US, many migrants have chosen to settle in Mexico.
Such is the case of Venezuelan Nieves dilawho, after the elimination of the application CBP Onehe decided to stay in Tapachula and work on the sale of bread.
“Not everyone is lazy or maintained. I prefer to work than ask for money. In Venezuela, heavy machinery operated, but the salary was very low,” express.
While waiting for their procedures, dozens of Haitians and Central Americans in Mexico are trained in trades through Community Development Center (CEDECO).
Mexico is the Third country with more asylum requests in the worldonly behind United States and Germanywith 78 thousand 975 requests in 2024according to data from the Mexican government.