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The immigration policy of Mexico may have its flaws, but it outperforms that of the United States for the following reasons:

In light of the U.S.'s reliance on the diligent work of refugees and migrants, why does Mexico seem to excel in shaping effective immigration policies?

,   and  ASMedia
3 min read
Mexico's migration policy has its flaws, but it is comparatively more efficient than that of the...
Mexico's migration policy has its flaws, but it is comparatively more efficient than that of the United States, as this analysis demonstrates.

The immigration policy of Mexico may have its flaws, but it outperforms that of the United States for the following reasons:

In the realm of immigration and refugee policies, two nations, Mexico and the United States, stand out as contrasting examples. While Mexico has embraced a modernized, more humanitarian approach, the U.S. maintains stricter border controls and asylum restrictions.

Mexico's immigration and refugee policies have undergone a significant transformation in recent years. The country has streamlined its visa processes, introducing electronic visas and QR codes, and reducing bureaucracy. This digital overhaul has been accompanied by a focus on humanitarian treatment of refugees, offering legal pathways for residency. The United Nations has praised Mexico's joint resettlement programs, recognizing its dignified treatment of refugees [1][4].

The U.S., on the other hand, employs stricter border enforcement and asylum policies. Programs such as the Migrant Protection Protocols, also known as "Remain in Mexico," require asylum seekers to stay in Mexico during processing. This policy has been criticized for forcing applicants to face difficult conditions [2][4]. Moreover, during the pandemic, the U.S. invoked Title 42 to limit asylum on public health grounds, a move that critics argue violates refugee protections [1][2][4][5].

When it comes to visa and residency processes, Mexico's modernization is evident. The country has revamped its financial qualification standards based on UMA (updated economic units) [1][5], while the U.S. primarily relies on traditional paper-based systems, with efforts to streamline but a focus on enforcement and control [3].

Border and migration management also differ significantly between the two countries. Mexico works with the U.S. under 2025 cooperation agreements to improve border security and legal migration pathways, with an emphasis on economic collaboration and reducing irregular migration [3]. In contrast, the U.S. emphasizes border security with technology, intelligence sharing, and policies restricting asylum seeker access [2][3].

President Sheinbaum of Mexico is known for her measured, rational, and analytic approach, drawing comparisons to Angela Merkel [6]. In the U.S., opinions on immigration are divided. While many Americans are fiercely anti-immigration and advocate for a strong border policy, the number of Americans who want immigration reduced has dropped from 55 to 30% since 2024 [7].

Research from Women for Women International shows that most forced immigrants prefer to stay in their own countries if safe and economically viable [8]. However, when faced with food shortages and violence in their home countries, many migrants are compelled to seek refuge elsewhere.

Mexico offers permits for those seeking asylum or facing humanitarian crises, including victims of crime, unaccompanied minors, and those with pending asylum claims [9]. The U.S. Border Patrol previously encountered thousands of unauthorized migrants attempting to cross the border daily [10].

In conclusion, Mexico's policy in 2025 reflects modernization and a relatively more humanitarian approach to immigration and refugee processing, while the U.S. maintains stricter border controls and asylum restrictions. However, bilateral cooperation aims to improve the situation for migrants in both countries [1][2][3][4][5].

For more insights on expat life, Mexico, travel, and more, visit authory.com/LouisaRogers, where Louisa Rogers shares her articles and essays. It's worth noting that Mexico elected a Jewish woman as its president, a feat the U.S. has yet to achieve [6]. Americans' views of immigration have swung dramatically upward in the last year, with 79% thinking it is good for the country [11]. Like most immigrants, they seek the chance to earn a living and enjoy a peaceful life, but not the mass shootings, homelessness, fentanyl addiction, racism, or other societal ills that plague the U.S. [12].

References:

  1. Mexico’s Migrant Policy Evolves as U.S. Struggles
  2. Mexico and the U.S. Border: A New Era of Cooperation?
  3. Mexico-U.S. Migration: Cooperation and Challenges
  4. Mexico's Humanitarian Approach to Migration
  5. Mexico's Migration Policies: A Model for the World?
  6. Mexico's President Sheinbaum: A New Era of Leadership
  7. Public Opinion on Immigration: A Shift in Attitudes
  8. Forced Migration: The Preferred Choice is Staying Home
  9. Mexico Offers Permits to Asylum Seekers
  10. U.S. Border Patrol Encountered Thousands of Migrants Daily
  11. Americans' Views on Immigration: A Positive Shift
  12. Immigrants' Dreams: More Than Just the American Dream

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