Nearly 70% of Mexico’s 1.2 Million Migrants are U.S. Citizens
Mexico has long been a favored destination for its northern neighbors, not just for tourism but also for residence. Americans are the largest group of migrants in Mexico, a trend that has been growing for decades.
The proximity to the U.S., familiarity with the language, and greater purchasing power are strong incentives for over 700,000 American citizens to live in Mexico. Since 2019, the number of Americans moving to Mexico has skyrocketed, partly due to the pandemic.
Mexico imposes few restrictions on foreigners with money, making it an attractive destination for remote workers. What began as a tourist hotspot has become a popular place to live.
American citizens don’t need a tourist visa to enter Mexico and can stay for up to 180 days per visit. Temporary resident visas, which allow for longer stays of up to four years, have doubled in issuance over the last two years.
Among the Americans residing in Mexico, there are also undocumented migrants. While there’s no exact record of how many are in the country with irregular immigration status, data on deportations and immigration procedures provide some insight. Over the last 12 years, 14,538 U.S. citizens have been deported from Mexico, with notable increases between 2015 and 2017. Additionally, from 2012 to 2024, 18,421 U.S. citizens have been subject to administrative immigration procedures.
Mexico is a viable option for American migrants. According to Doris Speer, president of the Association of Americans Resident Overseas (AARO), people choose Mexico to be close to family, work remotely, or take advantage of their Spanish fluency. The U.S. government doesn’t have an official count of its citizens living abroad, but estimates suggest around six million Americans reside outside the country, with about one-fifth in Mexico.
According to the 2023 National Survey of Demographic Dynamics (ENADID), 1.2 million migrants reside in Mexico, with nearly 70% being Americans. While other nationalities are increasing in presence, Americans remain the most common residents.
The number of migrants in Mexico has nearly tripled over two decades. In the last three censuses, the U.S. has contributed the most to this statistic, according to Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI). This data doesn’t distinguish between those with or without residence permits.
While areas like Roma and Condesa in Mexico City are known for American residents, states like Baja California, Chihuahua, and Tamaulipas each had over 80,000 American inhabitants in 2020.
Travelers who don’t require a visa can leave Mexico before their 180-day period ends and re-enter, though subsequent permits may be shorter. Temporary resident visas allow for stays longer than 180 days but less than four years and can be processed through a Mexican consulate or within Mexico.
The number of temporary visas and renewals has increased from 2021 to 2023, coinciding with the Covid-19 pandemic and the rise of remote work. Permanent residency cards, which allow indefinite stays, have also become more common. Since 2014, 72,291 permanent residency cards have been issued to American citizens.
When Donald Trump was leading the polls, celebrities like Eva Longoria, Barbara Streisand, and Cher expressed intentions to leave the U.S. if he won. Google Trends shows that searches for terms like “living abroad,” “best country to live in,” and “moving to Mexico” spiked during political events, such as Trump’s inauguration and the Capitol Hill assault.
Despite these spikes, Speer notes that migration reasons are more often related to job opportunities, family reunification, studies, affordability, or love, rather than politics. Her organization hasn’t observed a significant number of Americans relocating for political reasons.
Mexico remains a top destination for American migrants, driven by various factors including proximity, language, and economic opportunities. As the trend continues, the presence of Americans in Mexico is likely to grow even further.
Source: El Pais
