Me dicen "el clandestino" por no llevar papel

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This week, we’re talking about the elephant in the room—the persecution of immigrants in the U.S. From ICE raids and mass deportations to the LA riots and the “No Kings” protests, the fear and uncertainty gripping immigrant communities is impossible to ignore.

I’ve hesitated to write about this because, for me, it’s personal. My community in Chicago includes undocumented people—friends, family, neighbors—people who left everything behind in search of a better life. Now, many live with the constant fear that it could all be taken away. I’ll be honest: it’s hard to write about this without bias. But I’ve done my best to lay out the facts.

If you find CDMX iykyk helpful, informative, or just appreciate someone doing the digging and distilling so you don’t have to, consider buying me a $5 coffee or two! This is an unpaid labor of love, and your support helps me keep it going (and caffeinated).

Let’s go.

TOP NEWS

Fear and Uncertainty for Mexican Immigrants in the U.S.

Since President Trump took office, his administration has taken a hardline stance on immigration—and Mexicans, who make up a large percentage of the undocumented population, are feeling the impact firsthand.

Tell me more.

In just six months, over 56,000 Mexicans have been deported. President Sheinbaum has been vocal about her opposition to these policies, especially workplace raids targeting those, as she puts it, “working honestly” in the U.S.

Earlier this month, Sheinbaum met with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau to express Mexico’s concerns. “We don’t agree with this scheme of criminalizing working people,” she said, adding that the Mexican community in the U.S. deserves recognition for their “honest, noble work.”

Their planned follow-up meeting with Trump was postponed when he left the G7 Summit early to deal with escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The meeting came on the heels of large immigration raids in Los Angeles, where 61 Mexicans were detained and sent to detention centers. The raids ignited massive protests across the city. While Sheinbaum condemned any violence during the demonstrations, she also rejected claims by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that she encouraged the unrest.

Let’s unpack this.

Mass deportations aren’t new—but the scale and visibility of recent immigration raids have rattled communities like never before. There are an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S., many of whom have been here for decades, raising families, building businesses, and contributing to the economy. In fact, undocumented immigrants paid over $100 billion in taxes in 2022 alone.

Trump’s administration claims the focus is on “criminal aliens,” but data shows that most of those arrested have no criminal record beyond their immigration status.

Worksite raids, like the ones at Home Depot parking lots, factories, and farms across Southern California, have become symbolic of this crackdown. For many undocumented immigrants, these jobs are their only lifeline—and now, even that feels unsafe.

The LA raids are part of a broader national trend. In the past few months, ICE has ramped up enforcement in cities like Chicago, Houston, and Atlanta. At the same time, Trump has deployed National Guard troops to “maintain order” during protests, fueling further tension.

And while officials like to frame these raids as orderly and justified, the reality on the ground tells a different story. During the recent Hollywood Home Depot raid, a U.S. citizen, Job Garcia, was tackled and arrested simply for filming what was happening. Garcia, a PhD student, later described hearing ICE agents casually brag about their arrests, referring to the people they detained as “bodies.”

"How many bodies did you guys get today?" one agent reportedly asked, as others high-fived and celebrated. For them, it was a “good day.” For the communities affected, it was yet another reminder that human lives are being reduced to quotas.

The fear sparked by the LA raids quickly turned into outrage. In more than 40 cities across the country, thousands took to the streets under the banner of the No Kings protests—a coordinated response to Trump’s planned military parade in Washington, D.C., which happened to coincide with his 79th birthday.

But these protests weren’t just about immigration. Organizers described them as a rejection of authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics, and the militarization of our democracy. Protesters carried signs reading “No human is illegal” and “No kings, no cages,” sending a clear message that communities won’t sit quietly while basic rights and democratic values are threatened.

Critics argue these raids and tough policies are necessary to enforce the law and protect American jobs. Others say they tear families apart and punish the very people who have helped fuel the U.S. economy for decades. Either way, the message is clear: immigrant communities are under siege.

What does this mean?

For undocumented families, it means living with uncertainty, fear, and the feeling that their very existence is up for debate. For allies, it’s a reminder that silence helps no one.

That’s why Diego Luna’s speech on Jimmy Kimmel Live resonate so deeply. As one of the most visible Mexican actors in Hollywood, Luna used his platform to publicly condemn the raids and deportations. But more importantly, he humanized the issue.

“These people are our neighbors. They’re our friends. They’re part of the fabric of this country,” he told millions of viewers. “They deserve dignity, not fear.”

It was a rare moment where someone with real visibility cut through the noise and reminded people that behind every policy, there’s a family, a story, a person with roots and dreams—just like anyone else.

Other Stories: 

☔ Rainiest June in 20 years: CDMX nearly doubles London’s rainfall

🚂 El Chepe: An epic way to see northern Mexico’s Copper Canyon

📉 Mexico leads OECD in poverty reduction efforts

👩🏻‍🍳 Mexico City’s Quintonil ranks as the world’s third-best restaurant

💵 U.S. sanctions three Mexican financial firms over alleged money laundering

CULTURE & HAPPENINGS

• Tues, Jul 1: Hector Lavoe tribute @ Tepito 🎙

• Wed, Jul 2: Co-ed temazcal ceremony 🌡️

• Fri, Jul 4: Tim Burton’s Labyrinth exhibition 🦇

• Sat, Jul 5: Botanical House Pop-Up @ Juarez 🪴 

• Sat, Jul 5: Xochimilco Boat Party 🛶

• Sun, Jul 6: Frida Kahlo Painting Workshop 🖼️

• Thur, Jul 10: Malinche the musical 🎤

• Fri, Jul 11: Chicas, Coffee & Connections ☕

• Fri, Jul 11: Bachata & salsa class social 💃🏽

• Sat, Jul 12: Mexico City Social Meetup 🍻

• Sat, Jul 12: CDMX Movie Club: Stranger than Fiction 📽

• Sun, Jul 13: Lagunilla Antique Market & Bazaar 🛒

ROCIO RECOMMENDS

A Better Life (2011) is one of those quiet, powerful films that stays with you. It follows Carlos, an undocumented gardener in L.A., as he tries to give his teenage son a shot at something better—while living in constant fear of deportation. Demián Bichir earned an Oscar nomination for his performance, and it’s easy to see why. The film is raw, heartfelt, and painfully relevant to the realities so many families face. You can stream it for free on YouTube here.

VIRAL VAULT

• Tlaloc’s winning—CDMX outdoes London with rain

• Christian Castro gets the magic of doing nothing

• The pesos stretch, the brain cells don’t

Thanks for being a reader of CDMX if you know, you know! If you'd like to support this passion project (and my coffee habit ☕️), feel free to buy me a coffee.

P.S. I only promote community events for free. The newsletter is published around the 15th and 30th of each month. Please send the internet link to the specific event you would like to include 3 days prior to these dates. Anything beyond this is a paid sponsorship – if interested, respond to this and I’ll provide more information.

See you in two-ish weeks!