Mexico calls on the US to legalize the legal status of migrant workers

Speaking at a press conference, Minister Barcena said that Mexicans working in the United States contribute more than $324 billion annually to the world's leading economy in essential sectors such as agriculture, services and construction. She stated: "The legalization of Mexicans is not unprecedented. In 1986, about 3 million people were legalized."

Mexico has asked the US to take “similar and fair action” to legalize the legal status of illegal Mexican immigrants who have worked in the US for more than five years, including half a million young people protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

The flow of migrants at the US-Mexico border reached a record high late last year. In December 2023 alone, US Customs and Border Protection recorded nearly 250,000 border crossing detections, the highest monthly figure ever. According to Ms. Barcena, to curb mass migration, the US needs to approve a $20 billion annual budget to promote development in Latin America and the Caribbean, and lift sanctions on Venezuela and the trade embargo on Cuba.

Mexican Foreign Minister added that President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador had proposed the above measures to his US counterpart Joe Biden along with many other measures, such as controlling US arms trade into Mexico.

Mexican government statistics show that there are currently 37.3 million Mexicans living in the United States, of which about 5.3 million are illegal immigrants.