Written by Kathleen Lonergan & Howard Baltus

Why should we, expats living in Mexico, vote in the November election? 

This election will impact us. Trump’s policies will lead to restrictive immigration policies, potential economic instability, and challenges in cross-border relations. Harris will promote diplomacy, stability in trade, and support for programs and services for expats, while also making voting more accessible. 

There are several factors revolving around immigration policy, foreign relations, and economic conditions.

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1. Immigration Policies and Cross-Border Relations:

  - Trump will return us to stricter immigration and border control policies, affecting how Mexico and the U.S. interact. Remember how he took children away from their families. Expats may face stricter visa rules, more complex bureaucratic processes for travel between the two countries, or tensions between U.S. and Mexican authorities. 

  - Harris supports the bi-partisan agreement which Trump told his MAGA officials to stop. Harris and Biden met with Mexican President Lopez Obrador to create smart technology security on the border instead of Trump's failed “big beautiful wall”. Kamala Harris is a woman with a plan to fix the issues on the Mexican borders.

2. Diplomatic and Trade Relations:

  - During his first term, Trump often took a confrontational stance toward Mexico, threatening tariffs and border security. Expats might feel effects through economic shifts, trade policies, or diplomatic friction impacting the local economy and doing business.

  - Harris would likely focus on diplomacy and cooperation with Mexico, fostering trade relations and collaborative economic initiatives. We will benefit from more stable business environments, better bilateral cooperation, potentially easing financial transactions, investments, and access to local markets. As the Vice President she created diplomatic relations with Central American countries to help reduce the number of migrants moving north and improve the business climate.

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3. Social and Economic Conditions for Expats:

  - Trump’s trade ideas may strain U.S.-Mexico relations and disrupt importation of goods. The prices we pay for imported goods will go up. Socially, Trump’s stance on immigration and nationalism might lead to increased anti-American sentiment in some areas.

  - Harris is more likely to focus on strengthening ties, leading to economic policies that stabilize trade and investment. We will have less risk of diplomatic tensions creating consistent conditions for living, working, and retiring in Mexico.

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4. Healthcare and Social Benefits for Expats:

  - Healthcare and benefits for U.S. citizens abroad could become less accessible if Trump pursues cuts to programs like Social Security or Medicare. His administration’s previous efforts to reduce access to public benefits might also impact retirees relying on these services while living abroad.

  - Harris would likely maintain or even expand programs that help Americans abroad, including preserving access to Social Security, Medicare, and healthcare options. Her administration would likely be more supportive of policies that allow expats to access services more easily.

5. Voting and Political Engagement:

  - Trump has proven that he doesn’t care about democracy. He would implement restrictive voting laws that would create challenges for expats to cast absentee ballots or access our voting rights. 

  - Harris: Harris will support expanded voting access, making it easier for expats to vote by mail or electronically. Harris said she would sign the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. Her presidency will safeguard voting rights that benefit U.S. citizens abroad.

If you're an American living on a fixed income in Mexico, re-read numbers 3 and 4. Depending on the election results, life here could change for the worse.

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