Local residents of Mexico City are angered that Americans are emigrating to their community, with some people describing them as a “f**king plague.”
A new report from the LA Times discussed the recent influx of Americans to Mexico City, with a large increase in American visitors seen since 2016, which went into “overdrive” during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the country had implemented few restrictions:
“In leafy, walkable quarters such as Roma, Condesa, Centro and Juarez, rents are soaring as Americans and other foreigners snap up houses and landlords trade long-term renters for travelers willing to pay more on Airbnb. Taquerias, corner stores and fondas — small, family-run lunch spots — are being replaced by Pilates studios, co-working spaces and sleek cafes advertising oat-milk lattes and avocado toast. And English — well, it’s everywhere: ringing out at supermarkets, natural wine bars and fitness classes in the park.”
Americans can currently stay in the country for six months without a visa, and as such, many have moved to remote work in the capital. The State Department estimates that around 1.6 million US citizens currently live in Mexico.
These include Sarah Lupton, a 35-year-old from North Carolina, who said that the city has everything she needs to “build a life of creativity, connection, adventure and stability,” and Lauren Rodwell, 40, who works a remote tech job.
“I like being in vibrant cities that have multiple cultures that mix well, where there’s good food and good energy and dancing and art,” Rodwell told the LA Times. “It reminds me of being in a more friendly, more clean at times, Brooklyn.”
However, local residents are extremely concerned about “gentrification” and other problems in Mexico City as a result of the arrival of Americans. “Our homes now house digital nomads,” read a flyer from a tenant advocacy group.
Posters have appeared all around the city, telling Americans to get out. “New to the city? Working remotely? You’re a f**king plague and the locals f**king hate you,” they read in English. “Leave.”
Mexico City is being flooded by Americans — including legions of remote workers drawn by cheaper rents.
They're transforming classic neighborhoods, the housing market and even racial dynamics.
More and more, locals are asking them to please go home.https://t.co/wivG6TDWTP
— Kate Linthicum (@katelinthicum) July 27, 2022
Fernando Bustos Gorozpe, a 38-year-old university and professor recently realised they were the only “brown people” at a cafe, and the only ones speaking Spanish apart from the waiters. He proceeded to upload a TikTok video complaining that Americans coming to Mexico City “stinks of modern colonialism,” with thousands agreeing in the comments.
“Mexico is classist and racist,” he argued. “People with white skin are given preference. Now, if a local wants to go to a restaurant or a club, they don’t just have to compete with rich, white Mexicans but with foreigners too.”
One American found themselves in hot water in February after posting a tweet encouraging people to move to Mexico City, describing it as “truly magical,” and ended up with vitriolic replies telling other Americans not to listen. The tweet itself has become a meme on Mexican Twitter, with locals posting images and videos of crumbling infrastructure and fights, as well as jokes.
Do yourself a favor and remote work in mexico city — it is truly magical ✨
pic.twitter.com/W7IHpJbJty— King Nothing (@OyeMarino) February 18, 2022
Do yourself a favor and remote work in Mexico City — it is truly magical 💕🌙 pic.twitter.com/pDxTDwCVeQ
— Ｓｔｅｒｅｏｐｏｎｙ🦄 (@santadiabla90s) February 17, 2022
Do yourself a favor and remote work in Mexico City — it is truly magical ✨ pic.twitter.com/6QH2Yudbfo
— Gabriel Rdgz Liceaga (@El_Neb) March 14, 2022
A local barista, Omar Euroza, said that he was “sick of feeling like an outsider in his city,” adding that people get upset when they order in English and he doesn’t understand them. The sentiment was echoed by a chef who claimed that they were expected to speak English in America, saying the situation was “unfair.”
There are some who are happy with the new arrivals, including a real estate agent who explained that Americans will buy houses and apartments at asking price, and the owner of a taco stand, as foreigners had helped stopped him from going out of business, making up 15% of their revenue.
The story was mocked by a number of online conservatives, who highlighted the irony that many ordinary Americans were called “racist” and “xenophobic” for complaining about Mexican and Central and South American immigration changing their own neighbourhoods.
This sounds familiar. Do the Americans get free schooling and healthcare too?
— Pete D’Abrosca (@pdabrosca) July 27, 2022
Ho ho ho, whatsamatter, paisano? don't want to hear another language? pic.twitter.com/7IEfgIGBVy
— ib (@lndian_Bronson) July 27, 2022
Sounds pretty nationalist and xenophobic of Mexicans
— Infinite Dreams (@7thSon1988) July 27, 2022
Just us
— ☀️🌸Dee H🌸☀️ (@DniseC1) July 27, 2022
