Violent protests erupted in Mexico’s capital over the weekend as residents expressed growing frustration with the rising cost of living and the surge in foreign visitors, particularly American tourists and expatriates.
The unrest, which began as a peaceful demonstration, resulted in damage to more than a dozen businesses and has sparked both domestic and international attention.
According to reporting from the New York Times, the protests were aimed at the increasing number of foreigners—many of them from the United States—who have relocated to Mexico City in recent years.
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The influx, which accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, has contributed to sharply rising rents and the transformation of traditional neighborhoods into upscale enclaves catering to wealthier foreign residents and digital nomads.
Demonstrators marched through city streets carrying signs that read, “Your new home is an invasion,” “We shouldn’t feel like foreigners in our own land,” and “Expat = gentrifier.”
While the march began peacefully, the situation escalated Friday night when protesters clashed with authorities and damaged multiple businesses, according to local officials.
Some Mexican officials have condemned the violence while also expressing concern over the protest’s nationalist overtones.
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The demonstration has intensified an already sensitive conversation within the country about tourism, gentrification, and the socioeconomic impact of foreign residency.
“Gringos, stop stealing our homes.”
Tourists were shouted at and store windows smashed during a protest against gentrification in Mexico City, where an influx of Americans and other “digital nomads” is driving up rents and pushing out locals. pic.twitter.com/OA0epvmKP7
— DW News (@dwnews) July 5, 2025
In the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responded to the incident with a pointed message aimed at those in the country illegally.
In a post on X, DHS used the moment to promote the CBP One mobile app, which is used by migrants to schedule appointments or facilitate voluntary departure procedures.
“If you are in the United States illegally and wish to join the next protest in Mexico City, use the CBP Home app to facilitate your departure,” DHS wrote in the post.
If you are in the United States illegally and wish to join the next protest in Mexico City, use the CBP Home app to facilitate your departure. https://t.co/P2vKuhbp65
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) July 6, 2025
The tweet quickly gained attention online, with some users praising DHS for its timely and direct messaging.
The department has increasingly turned to digital platforms to promote tools like the CBP One app, which allows certain individuals to manage immigration appointments and departures from within the U.S.
The unrest in Mexico comes as cities on both sides of the border continue to navigate the effects of global migration patterns and housing shortages.
Mexico City, once seen as an affordable destination for tourists and foreign workers, has seen a rapid transformation over the last five years.
Analysts point to post-pandemic migration as a key factor in changing real estate trends, with short-term rental platforms and work-from-anywhere professionals playing a major role.
Local tensions have continued to grow as long-time residents report being priced out of neighborhoods where they and their families have lived for generations.
The government has attempted to address the issue with zoning reforms and housing protections, but the influx of foreign capital and residents has remained steady.
As the situation in Mexico City evolves, further protests have not been ruled out by organizers.
No arrests have been reported at this time, but city officials have stated that an investigation into the destruction of property is underway.
Mexican authorities have not commented on whether any new policies or restrictions on tourism or foreign residency are being considered in response to the unrest.
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