Record number of Americans are crossing the southern border to live in Mexico

A rapidly increasing number of Americans are crossing the southern border to live in Mexico, according to a new report from the Mexican government.

The report says that more than 8,000 US citizens were issued temporary resident visas to live in Mexico during the first nine months of 2022 – an 85 percent increase over the same period in 2019.

Nearly 5,500 Americans were granted permanent residency status through the first three-quarters of the year.

The Mexico Daily News reports that figure to be the higher reverse migration number since the statistic was first compiled 12 years ago. The number of US citizens granted permanent residency in Mexico is also up a whopping 48 percent over the 2019 figure.

It is believed that Mexico’s lower cost of living, slower pace of life and change of scenery is drawing US citizens to the country – especially as the US continues to fight record inflation figures and an uncertain economic landscape.

For context, the number of Americans heading south remains dwarfed by the number of Mexicans that routinely immigrate to the US. In 2020 alone, 255,000 Mexicans came to the US.  

Especially in the wake of COVID and the age of the digital nomad, Americans have flocked to Mexico and Mexico City – at much lower rates, however, than individuals south of the border are crossing into the US

The number of Americans obtaining temporary visas to live in Mexico increased significantly between 2019 and 2022. The figure applying for permanent residency also increased dramatically as a number of factors make Mexico appealing to some Americans

While temporary visitors are generally allowed to stay up to six months, those applying for permanent residency generally must meet several criteria including employer sponsors, family ties and an income requirement. 

As previously reported by DailyMail.com, Mexico City has become a popular landing ground for Americans wishing to flee increasingly high cost of living prices at home.

Some 19 percent of recent US emigrants have opted to head to Mexico’s capital city – choosing its rich cultural history and notable dining options over popular vacation destinations like Puerto Vallarta and Cancun.

One such visitor is Tristan Peters, a Chicago-native who obtained a several month travel visa and has been exploring Mexico before jumping back into the world of FinTech, in which she works.

‘I chose Mexico because there is so much food and culture to explore, plus the cost of living is cheaper making it easier to travel for an extended period without an income,’ she told DailyMail.com

Bolstering the claims of others, Peters – who has been documenting her travel via a personal blog – says that ‘everyone I’ve met has been so welcoming.’

‘The hospitality here is on a whole other level’ and the people are ‘really, really friendly,’ she said. ‘So far my experience in Mexico has been very solid.’ 

According to the US State Department, at least 1.6 million Americans presently reside in Mexico (compared to the nearly 40 million Mexicans that live in the US) and that figure appears to be growing. 

One estimate suggests more than 18,000 Americans will have relocated as either temporary or permanent residents to Mexico by year’s end.

Mexico City officials are encouraging the trend and have even announced a partnership between Airbnb and the country’s UNESCO that will encourage an even greater number of Americans – especially digital nomads – to opt for the capital.

Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said that the influx of foreigners is helping vitalize parts of the city that are typically skipped out on by visitors.

Mexico City is known for its rich cultural landscape, which includes a number of world class museums and art institutions – as well a celebrate dining scene

Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum says the influx of long-term American visitors to Mexico City is a good thing for the capital’s economy and has even struck up a deal with Airbnb to encourage the longevity of the trend

Foreigners delight in observing local and cultural traditions, including the annual Day of the Dead parade – held around Halloween each year

The encouragement of officials, however, has not stamped out the local sentiment that US visitors are ‘colonizing Mexico City.’

‘Dear Digital Nomads, Mexico is not cheap when you make pesos. Your Instagram-worthy lifestyle is ruining our home,’ wrote one Mexican blogger.

A local group of residents referred to the influx of US travelers as an ‘aggressive touristification’ of Mexico City.

Earlier this year, flyers reportedly circulated the city that read, ‘New to the city? Working remotely? You’re a f***ing plague and the locals f***ing hate you. Leave.’

Backing up the emotionally worded attacks of the locals, is data that suggests the influx of digital nomads to certain parts of the capital has pushed up rents, subsequently driving locals less desirable neighborhoods. 

That label arrives against the backdrop of a record number of South American migrants illegally crossing the US southern border, many of whom settle in various parts of the country illegally.

But it’s not just Americans imposing themselves on the residents of Mexico. The data showed that the number of Canadians granted temporary residency during the first nine months of the year was also up by 137 percent compared to 2019.

In addition to becoming an increasingly popular place to reside for an extended period of time, Mexico is also the top foreign destination for US travelers, according to State Department data.

Statistics from a Mexican university show that more than 10 million Americans jetted into Mexico during the first nine months of 2022 – some of them, there to stay.

Data shows that more than 10 million Americans flew into Mexico during the first nine months of 2022, making it the top foreign travel destination for US residents

As more US travelers opt for long-term stays in Mexico, a significant increase in illegal travelers coming in from Mexico has also been charted this year