The implementation of harsh immigration policies by President Donald Trump after taking office has turned the promise of the “American Dream” into uncertainty and stagnation for thousands of Central Americans, who have been left without clear options for crossing the Mexico-United States border, turning the informal economy in our country into their source of income.
According to the Migration Policy, Registration, and Identity of Persons Unit, there are more than 1.4 million migrants in an irregular situation in Mexico, originating from countries such as Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba, and Colombia, between January and May 2024.
“The data on people in an irregular immigration situation will take time to be updated due to a restructuring process; it is possible to estimate the current situation based on the most recent figures,” the agency noted.
How do migrants survive?
Due to the lack of official documents to find employment, migrants have turned to informal employment to earn a few pesos and survive their journey to the United States. Many of them have found work as vendors at the Central de Abasto (Basque Market) or at street markets.
Others have also found work at car washes, and some even use the streets to sell food or traditional condiments from their countries of origin, and even cut hair in public.
Can migrants have formal employment?
Bárbara Aguilar, Director of Legal Operations at Grupo Consultor EFE, warned that companies must ensure that their contracts comply with current regulations, as they could be engaging in illegal practices.
