Many U.S. residents have been living in this country without proper documentation. This situation grew exponentially during the Biden administration. Between January 2021 and late 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recorded over 7.8 million encounters with migrants crossing the southern border without authorization. Additionally, an estimated 1.5 million “gotaways”—individuals detected but not apprehended—were reported during the same period.
Now the Trump administration is cracking down on the undocumented, focusing particular ire on Sanctuary cities like Santa Ana, CA.
Many are up in arms over the deportations but what would happen if an American tried to live in Mexico without documentation? Would they be allowed to stay?
Mexico deported over 17,000 foreign nationals in 2023. Americans were the largest group deported from Baja, but not the largest overall. Other nationalities with high deportation numbers included China (2,500+), Uzbekistan (1,500+), and various South American and African countries
An American living in Mexico without legal documentation may face serious legal consequences:
- Fines and criminal charges Unauthorized stay is considered a violation of Mexico’s immigration law. Fines can range from several thousand to hundreds of thousands of pesos. In some cases, it may be treated as a felony offense.
- Detention and deportation Mexican immigration authorities may detain undocumented foreigners and deport them. Deportation can be immediate or follow an administrative process.
- Ban on reentry Individuals who are deported may be barred from reentering Mexico for a period of time, especially if they overstayed a visa or violated immigration rules.
- Work restrictions Working without a valid permit is illegal and can lead to additional penalties or deportation.
- Limited access to services Without legal status, individuals may struggle to access healthcare, banking, housing, or legal protections.
- Discretionary enforcement Enforcement varies by region and circumstance. Americans may sometimes be treated more leniently than migrants from other regions, but they are still subject to Mexican law.
To live legally in Mexico, Americans typically need a tourist visa (valid for up to 180 days), a temporary resident visa, or permanent residency depending on income, family ties, or property ownership.
It is sad to see so many families in the U.S. split apart by deportations but the same thing would happen if an American tried to live in Mexico without permission. Somehow this is never brought up when civil rights activists complain about what is happening in the U.S.
The post What would happen to an American if they tried to live in Mexico without proper documentation? first appeared on New Santa Ana.