American 'illegals' in Mexico (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Ignacio de los Reyes
BBC Mundo, Mexico City

The issue of undocumented Mexican migrants in America is widely reported. But what about the thousands of Americans living illegally south of the border? Mexico Direct looks at why they come, and why Mexicans aren't yet making an issue about it.
***
Last year about 1,000 US citizens were questioned over irregularities in their immigration status, according to Mexican authorities. They face a modest fine - up to $50 - if officials find them working without a permit or living in Mexico without proper documents.

Those who lose their visas or are asked to leave the country and then discovered to be overstaying are fined up to $400.

But the National Migration Institute in Mexico has no idea just how many Americans are living or working illegally in Mexico.

There are no advocacy groups defending American aliens in Mexico. Mexican politicians haven't raised it as a major issue - a far cry from the controversy around illegal migration on the other side of the border.
***
more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-radio-and-tv-17098719




Well, isn't that a pisser.

[libinnyandia]

1. There are times when I imagine an alternate universe where Mexico retained all of its northern

territory: Texas California etc and Americans wanted to live there.

[dmallind]

2. This is not an apples to oranges comparison

At my last company I shared responsibility for our plant in Juarez, so visited there freuently. At six month intervals I had to queue up just outside the border crossing and pay for another refill of a visa that allowed me to even be inside a plant wholly owned by my US-based employer. I also had to have a written invitation for them to get that visa in the first place. I was not employed by or paid by the Mexican plant and was just there for meetings. Once I went in not noticing my 6 months was up and guess what - I was "questioned over irregularities in [my] immigration status". Our Mexican employees on their similar visits to our US plants needed none of these things.

I'm quite probably in that 1000 number. I was not attempting to work, earn money, or stay in Mexico. Even weirder - my company did not allow US visitors to even stay overnight in a Juarez hotel. We had to stay in EP and walk back across the bridge every day.

[Mopar151]

3. A great deal if you have an American paycheck

Given the number of people crossing the border every day, 1000/yr is a drop in the bucket.