Crossing the Border: Out with the Old, In with the New

A 65-year-old crossing the Tijuana border in expectations of a satisfying retirement in the United States is a rare picture.

An Ohioan snowbird settling in Mexico’s Puerto Vallarta expat community is a common sight.

Every year, immigrants south of the border flee to the US and American retirees flock to Mexico. It’s an even exchange—the over 600,000 illegal migrants and the 800,000-plus US expats contribute significantly to the economies into which they enter.

The illegal immigrants bring youth and a willingness to work. The aging US retirees spend their finite savings to enjoy life in Mexico.

Retirees crossing the border

Undocumented immigrants crossing the border

What’s wrong with these scenarios? Nada. Given the world population is 8.3 billion and rising, global citizens need places to go.

It’s commonly said undocumented immigrants commit felonies against American citizens. All the while, Americans with legal citizenship perpetrate crimes against fellow Americans.

Consider drug-related convictions, for instance:

• 2,239 non-citizens were convicted of illegal drug possession/trafficking in 2022, per the US Customs and Border Protection.

• 1.16 million Americans are arrested every year for drug-related crimes.

Border crossings are not the issue—the problem is a lack of scruples. Legal Americans are far more entangled in the uglier side of the law than illegal immigrants seeking a better life.

Granted, some notorious parts south of the border are wild drug cartel havens. If smuggling drugs across the border is the main line of attack against illegal migrants, the solution is clear: eliminate the homeland’s demand and the foreign supply withers. Instead of a government vilifying a nation’s population, building partial walls and hurling bombs recklessly, leadership means taking responsibility. Curtail the drug dependency in the US—a far harder task than building fences in the desert.   

Closing the border doesn’t keep crime out; it still keeps criminals in. At the same time, the US loses out on opportunities to harness youthful, willing labor as its aging population escapes in droves.

Furthermore, it’s irrational to make the blanket statement, “All illegals are dangerous,” just as it is saying, “All Americans are law-abiding citizens who work tirelessly to contribute to the long-lasting betterment of society.”

Plenty of illegals work hard and seek a better life just as many American retirees do the same.

Americans who live in expat communities, like San Miguel de Allende, Lake Chapala, Mexico City and others, are drawn to their affordable costs of living. Retirees live in comfort on $2,000 to $3,000 per month in locations outside of major cities and beachfront towns.

Illegal immigrants entertain the same mindset: cross the border into the US for its opportunities. Men and women trudge across deserts, wade through dangerous rivers and climb hills. It’s a notable effort and testimony to their commitment to seek work and wages and build better lives for themselves.

America was and is built by immigrant labor. Closing the border doesn’t keep crime out; it still keeps criminals in. At the same time, the US loses out on opportunities to harness youthful, willing labor as its aging population escapes in droves.

Exchange US retirees wanting sun, sand and relaxation south of the border with Mexican nationals seeking work, wages and opportunity in the US.

Border crossings are not a problem.

Drug dependency in the homeland is a concern, one that fuels waves of misplaced anti-immigrant sentiment and a never-ending cycle of pointing blame in the wrong direction.

The solution is simple. Exchange US retirees wanting sun, sand and relaxation south of the border with Mexican nationals seeking work, wages and opportunity in the US.

One group is just beginning their work life; the other is exiting it.

In this equal exchange, citizens of both nations enjoy a better quality of life their favored countries afford them. US retirees invest locally and bolster the Mexican economy. Immigrants lend valued labor that boosts the growth of the American economy.

It’s a win-win.