In the initial six months of 2005 only, in excess of 120,000 people from Central America have been expelled to their countries of origin. This is a significantly higher rate than in 2002, when for the whole year; only 130,000 citizens were deported. One more significant group of people is those of Chinese origin, who give approx $5,500 to smugglers to be taken to Mexico from Hong Kong. It is predictable that 2.4% of rejections for work permits in Mexico match up to Chinese citizens. a lot of women from Eastern Europe, Asia, and Central and South America are furthermore presented jobs at table dance establishments in large cities all through the country causing the National Institute of Migration (INM) in Mexico to search these clubs and deport foreigners who work with no proper documentation. In 2004, the INM expelled 188,000 populace at an expenditure of US$10 million. Illegal immigration of Cubans through Cancún tripled from 2004 to 2006.
In September 2007, Mexican President Calderón strictly condemned the United States government for the cleaning on illegal immigrants, saying it has led to the harassment of immigrant workers with no visas. "I have said that Mexico does not discontinue at its border, that anywhere there is a Mexican, there is Mexico", he said.
In October 2008, Mexico made tighter its immigration rules and decided to deport Cubans using the country as an entrance point to the US. It furthermore criticized U.S. policy that usually allows Cubans who reach U.S. land to stay. Cuban Foreign Minister alleged the Cuban-Mexican agreement would lead to the huge majority of Cubans being send back.
