Marta Castillo, a Mexican woman, expressed her frustration about the large number of migrants in her town, saying “We’ve been invaded. I changed my mind about them, because I live in a place where we didn’t see any of this. But now everywhere there are people who aren’t from here.” Castillo’s views reflect a growing sentiment among Mexicans, with 70% believing that migrant flows into their country are “excessive”.
A survey by Oxfam Mexico found that over half of respondents believe migration has a negative or no positive impact on the economy or culture, and 40% think migration in Mexico should be limited or prohibited. The UN refugee agency has also conducted a survey, which found that nearly a third of respondents believe migrants should only be allowed to transit rapidly through Mexico to the U.S., while 13% believe the border should be closed and migrants deported.
The sentiment against migration is not surprising, given the changing demographics of migration in Mexico. While many Mexicans have family or friends who have migrated to the U.S., the influx of migrants from Central America, Haiti, and other parts of the world has contributed to a sense of xenophobia and anti-migrant sentiment.
Many Mexicans are frustrated with the impact of migration on their communities, including the presence of large numbers of people who do not speak Spanish and the strain on public services. The situation has also led to occasional flare-ups of violence and protest.
The trend is not unique to Mexico, as similar sentiments are being seen in other countries, including the U.S., where 55% of respondents in a June 2024 Gallup poll said they want to see immigration decreased.
In Mexico City, a tent city has been established in a historic square, where migrants wait for appointments at the U.S. border or to try to cross illegally. However, this has led to tension between locals and migrants, with some Mexican neighbors expressing frustration and anger.
The situation is also being fueled by a lack of understanding about the reasons behind migration, with many Mexicans believing that migrants bring crime and do not contribute positively to the economy. However, the UN refugee agency has found that 85% of migrants in Mexico come from violence-stricken countries, and most migrants do not bring crime with them.
The situation has also led to a shift in Mexico’s immigration policies, with the country adopting a more U.S.-style enforcement approach, including blocking migrants from traveling north and curtailing access to asylum. This has led to a significant increase in migrant encounters, with over 925,000 reported in the first eight months of 2024, more than double the number in 2022.
The change in Mexico’s immigration policies has also led to a decline in the number of asylum claims being processed, with less than half the number being processed compared to a year ago. This has raised concerns that Mexico is outsourcing U.S. immigration enforcement, which could have significant implications for both countries.
The shift in Mexican sentiment towards migration has also been mirrored in the U.S., with a similar trend of increasing xenophobia and anti-immigrant sentiment. This could have significant implications for both countries, with millions of people potentially facing deportation.