Misinformation Fuels Lucrative Migrant Exploitation Industry in Mexico Amidst US Policy Shift
Mexico City, August 2025 – A collaborative investigation by Conexión Migrante and Factchequeado has uncovered a disturbing nexus of misinformation and exploitation targeting migrants in Mexico. This alarming trend has emerged in the wake of tightened US immigration policies under the reinstated Trump administration, including the elimination of the CBP One app and increased border militarization. These policy changes, implemented in January 2025, have created an environment ripe for misinformation and fraud, preying on vulnerable individuals seeking refuge and stability.
The investigation, spanning seven months and supported by the International Center for Journalists’ (ICFJ) Disarming Disinformation program, reveals a systemic failure of official communication channels to provide accurate and timely information to migrants. Outdated COMAR (Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance) websites, abandoned social media accounts, and a complete absence on platforms like TikTok – a primary source of information for many migrants – have created an information vacuum. This vacuum has been readily filled by a network of opportunistic actors peddling false information and charging exorbitant fees for services that should be free.
The resulting misinformation ecosystem has spawned a thriving industry of exploitation. Unscrupulous lawyers are charging between $500 and $750 for procedures that are actually free of charge. Appointments, also supposed to be free, are being sold for $20 to $40. Even more sophisticated scams have been documented, with some migrants losing as much as $3,500 to fraudulent schemes. While many migrants are opting to remain in Mexico and seek regularization of their status due to limited US asylum access, Mexico’s unpreparedness for this influx has exacerbated the problem. The lack of official guidance and support has inadvertently turned the Mexican state itself into a source of disinformation, leaving countless migrants susceptible to exploitation.
The investigation employed a multi-faceted approach to uncover these deeply concerning trends. Fieldwork was conducted in key migration hubs such as Mexico City, Naucalpan, Tapachula, and Monterrey, providing valuable on-the-ground insights. Interviews with dozens of migrants waiting in lines and at COMAR offices offered firsthand accounts of the challenges faced and the prevalence of misinformation. Official data on asylum applications, detentions, deportations, and budgetary allocations were obtained through ten transparency requests. Consultations with former government officials and civil organizations further enriched the investigation by providing expert perspectives and contextual understanding.
The findings paint a grim picture of the current situation faced by migrants in Mexico. The absence of clear and accessible information, coupled with the proliferation of misinformation, has created a system that actively facilitates exploitation and undermines the rights of vulnerable individuals. This investigation highlights the urgent need for the Mexican government to address these critical issues and implement measures to protect migrants from fraud and abuse.
This report, spearheaded by Nadia Sanders with contributions from Wendy Selene Pérez and edited by a team including Wendy Selene Pérez, Patricia Mercado, and Laura Zommer, involved a diverse group of journalists, designers, photographers, and audience engagement specialists. The visual aspects of the investigation were brought to life through designs by Jhasua Razo and photographs captured by Teresa González, Benjamín Alfaro, and María Ruiz. The audience engagement team, composed of Olivia Rivarola, Daniela Buenabad, and Selene Tapia, ensured the investigation’s findings reached a wide audience. The crucial support provided by the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) was instrumental in the execution of this investigation.