As shifting migration policies and enforcement at the U.S.-Mexico border have rendered the pursuit of the American Dream increasingly inaccessible, a growing number of migrants have turned to Mexico as a place of permanent settlement rather than transit. This paper examines the experiences of 24 migrants from diverse national backgrounds who, after being unable to enter the United States, have made Ciudad Juárez their home. Drawing on qualitative interviews, the study explores processes of integration through interrelated domains: navigating Mexican immigration laws and policies, employment, housing, and the experiences of children in the immigrant integration process. The findings illuminate how migrants navigate local systems and construct new senses of belonging in a context marked by uncertainty, opportunity, and resilience. In documenting these lived experiences, the paper proposes a redefinition of the “Mexican Dream” as a framework emerging from migrants’ own narratives—one rooted in stability, community, and the pursuit of a dignified life in Mexico. This research contributes to broader discussions on south-south migration, urban integration, and the transformation of Mexico’s role within regional migration systems.
