Mexico Sees Sharp Drop in Irregular Migration

(MENAFN) Irregular migration through Mexico has plunged by as much as 86% during parts of this year compared to the same periods in 2024, according to figures from Mexican immigration officials.

The steep reduction in undocumented travelers moving through the country coincides with US President Donald Trump’s return to the White House for a second term, marked by a hardline anti-immigration agenda and heightened pressure on foreign governments to stem northbound migrant flows.

Statistics from Mexico’s National Immigration Institute (INM) reveal that between January and September, 135,233 undocumented or irregular migrants were registered or detained, a striking decline from the 1,005,321 recorded during the same timeframe in 2024.

May emerged as the most significant month in this downward trend, with only 5,128 migrant encounters compared to 125,499 in May 2024.

The majority of those detained or registered were Venezuelans, Hondurans, and Colombians. Men continued to represent the largest demographic, making up 68.9% of all migrants passing through Mexico.

Following Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, his anti-immigration stance quickly reverberated south of the border. Reports suggest he demanded that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum curb migration or face tariffs on Mexican exports.

Data from the INM indicates that Mexico’s government has largely aligned its domestic immigration policy with US demands.

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