en español 

A recent survey by Conexión Migrante and Factchequeado, conducted via social media platforms, reveals an alarming surge in disinformation targeting migrants.

Exposure to scams has risen dramatically: In 2023, 30% of respondents reported receiving false or fraudulent messages about services, immigration processes or policy changes. By 2025, following Donald Trump’s new immigration policies, that figure jumped to 49.4%.

This spike in false and misleading content has real-world consequences. The share of migrants who reported falling victim to fraud or disinformation climbed from 18.8% in 2023 to 27.2% in 2025, according to our survey data collected in March and April 2025.

While Meta platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp remain dominant channels for spreading disinformation, the study warns of a shifting information landscape. In just two years, content on TikTok and face-to-face disinformation have surged, emerging as widespread forms of deception within migrant communities.

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They charge up to $4,000 to get your papers here, saying it’s through COMAR, but it turns out to be marriage. They marry you to someone you don’t know. And they always look for everything to be a complete business. 

There’s a lot of fraud in all this. A lot of people wanting to profit from the situation. And sadly, the need is also great, which makes some people fall for it and accept.”

“They give you false hope because you think you can fix your papers, and it turns out you can’t,” reads another comment.

“I was scammed by a coyote who took advantage of my desperation and now I’m broke and still in Mexico, without papers.”

When asked what type of services or false information they received, more than 80% said they were deceived about processes to obtain immigration documents or work. Another 28% received false information about changes in immigration policies, and 20% were deceived about transportation or mobility issues.

Publisher’s Notes: This article is part of the first of five-part series, “I’m Staying in Mexico”

Factchequeado is a verification media outlet built by a Spanish-speaking community to tackle disinformation in the United States. Do you want to be part of it? Join us and verify the content you receive by sending it to our WhatsApp +16468736087 or to factchequeado.com/whatsapp.