There is so much in this thread that it is impossible to address many important topics and opinions, so I will only focus on the original “Emergency Panic Button.” While its intent appears legitimate, it questions its practicality and effectiveness. Based on personal experiences, it may be another example of ineffective governance masked as innovation and real concern for Mexicans abroad.

Two Personal Stories of Inefficiency

1. Renewing a Passport: After the pandemic, I needed to renew my Mexican passport at the Chicago consulate. After a series of frustrating, 30 to 45-minute calls answered by automated responses/options, I was redirected to the Mexico government website. Resolving the issue took weeks, and only through a personal connection did I finally secured an appointment. Even then, the process took hours of waiting in line at the consulate in Chicago.

2. Vehicle Retrieval: My brother in Mexico faced a three-month ordeal of recovering a truck impounded after a minor accident. Each government office added delays and expenses, with systemic inefficiency that thrives on bureaucracy. It was a typical shakedown by each government department and person involved (all pretending to help). The extended storage added thousands of pesos to the bill.

A Rigged System

These experiences highlight a pervasive culture of ineptitude and corruption. While presented as a solution, the Emergency Panic Button is another symbolic gesture—a system that may assist a select few for public relations but leaves the majority without support. It will only count the number of people that press the “me too” alarm. It’s a sadistic lifeboat without an oar.

Looking Forward

I love Mexico and the U.S., and I share these reflections with hesitation. Real change requires addressing systemic issues, from bureaucratic inefficiency to the pervasive shake-downs of cartels in industries and small businesses nationwide. While Americans living in Mexico may remain largely unaffected or misinformed about these challenges, the delays and misinformation Mexicans face are systemic. Unfortunately, they often experience the entrenched shake-downs that are part of daily life in Mexico.
Let’s get informed by talking to Mexicans at all business levels and raising our voices to help create actual initiatives that bring reform rather than adding another layer of political promotion. Mexico needs to get rid of the cartels before anything else. Every tourist destination is plagued by extortionists, cartels, drug dealers, and corrupt officials looking the other way while “getting their cut”

Ask a Mexican friend. They will share what they know. Cartels shake-down businesses everywhere in Mexico; they learned it’s easy and largely unchecked by authorities.

May 2025 bring a real effort to clean up both sides of the border.

Read the article again…you have it wrong…

Well said

As Sheinbaulm has stated, if push comes to shove, she will depart approximately 2 million Americans who are living illegaly in Mexico…

And how many “white” looking people do you see working in the fields, sorting plants etc? You can’t get white people to do the work, hence migrant workers

From experience?

You missed the point. It’s to support immigrants to notify their families and Mexican consulate. Not to notify the police…read the article again.

I would have to say the same about the USA…why doesn’t that country do more to provide universal health care for their citizens? Why is the USA the only country out of 33 that does not have universal health care. Why is th USA low on the scale for providing quality education? Why doesn’t the USA take care of their people first?

And of course you had to take the opportunity to take the focus away from this article and plan….let me guess…you’re from the USA? Have you travelled in Mexico…other than staying at a resort?

Some people shouldn’t contribute while under the influence…