The municipality of San Cristóbal de Las Casas in Mexico receives the largest amount of remittances in the country, reaching almost 950 million dollars out of the 64.745 billion received nationally in 2024, according to data from the Bank of Mexico. Chiapas, the state that hosts San Cristóbal de Las Casas, leads nationally in this aspect, as remittances represent approximately 16% of the GDP, surpassing any other state in Mexico.
The growth trend of remittances in Mexico has slowed down, ending 11 consecutive years of increases, with a modest rise of 2.3% in 2024. In March of that year, a streak of 46 months of continuous year-on-year growth was halted. In December, remittances fell by 4.9% year-on-year to 5.228 billion dollars, marking the lowest figure in the last nine months.
Uncertainty has permeated the families receiving remittances, especially due to concerns such as deportations and the threat of a 10% tax on remittances coming from the United States. This scenario could mean losses of up to 13 billion dollars in remittances that Mexico receives annually, which has alarmed those who depend on this income.
Fernando Gómez, an artisan from San Cristóbal de Las Casas who benefits from family remittances from the United States, expressed his concern: "The less money comes from there, the less production we are likely to have." The possible decrease in this income would impact not only his work in craftsmanship but also other commercial sectors.
The uncertainty is even greater for indigenous families, as some relatives have incurred debts to cross the border into the United States irregularly with high interest rates. Elena Santiz, a young woman from the Tzeltal ethnicity, mentioned: "(There is) some fear of the deportations that the ruler over there is carrying out." Indigenous women, in particular, are affected as they are responsible for managing the remittances to cover basic needs such as food and construction materials.
Concerns about migration policies and their potential repercussions on remittances have generated worry in receiving communities in Mexico, especially in San Cristóbal de Las Casas, where the reduction in the flow of remittances has worsened in February 2022.