Understanding Regularization, Temporary, and Permanent Residence in Mexico Using Administrative Data

Abstract

Bureaucratic processes and administrative procedures play a central role in producing differentiated statuses of legality and regularity. Over the past decade, Mexico has experienced a notable increase in the number of arrivals from a diverse range of countries of origin, with varied motivations and intentions to stay, transit, or seek asylum. As a result of this changing migration scenario, some foreign-born individuals lack valid migration documents, have expired residence permits, or have not obtained temporary or permanent residence authorization. In this research note, we use administrative data from the Mexican National Migration Institute, accessed through a request for information, to calculate the foreign-born population living in an irregular situation in Mexico and provide an overview of their main sociodemographic characteristics and countries of origin compared to those under temporary and permanent resident statuses. With this lower-bound calculation of irregularity, we aim to inform how legal pathways and socio-demographic characteristics have changed over time. Findings show age- and gender-based patterns and differences by country of birth, as well as an increase in irregularity over time, including a broad range of reasons for aiming at regularization. We hope this calculation and characterization of irregular migration—conceived not solely in terms of irregular entry—opens new avenues for research into how this phenomenon affects broader integration processes and how the Mexican case may be situated in a comparative regional perspective.