Mexico is expected to elect its first female president following Sunday’s election. Immigration experts believe the new president will impact the country’s relationship with the United States, particularly in efforts to limit illegal migrant crossings.
Former Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum is predicted to win, according to recent polls. She and her main rival, Xóchitl Gálvez, are looking to succeed the term-limited President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
David Abraham, a law professor at the University of Miami specializing in immigration, told Newsweek that a Sheinbaum administration would focus on international human rights.
“Given the importance of this for Biden, I expect that Sheinbaum would be in a strong position to get concessions of various sorts,” Abraham said. “Despite all talk about Gaza and Ukraine, for most American voters it still seems like the border is issue No. 1 and [Biden’s] very aware of that.”
UC San Diego professor and director of the school’s Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies (USMEX) Rafael Fernández de Castro expects a Sheinbaum victory. He perceives immigration will play a “formidable role” in her presidency.
As Sheinbaum and Gálvez compete to lead Mexico, the outcome of Sunday’s election could significantly influence the future of U.S.-Mexico relations and the broader issues of immigration and border security.
