Mexico's southern border is an increasing concern for that country's government as more Central Americans enter the country illegally. A UN official has warned Mexico that it may become the new destination for Central American migrants, rather than merely a stop on the way to the United States.
This warning came from the Mexico representative of "UN Women", Monica Corona. According to Corona, the increasing illegal immigration is a result of continued instability in Central America, where Mexico is perceived as a safe country. She adds that the United States' "tightening of immigration policies" makes Mexico a more appealing destination.
Participating in a conference on Gender and Migration at the Ibero-American University, Corona indicated that although Mexico's southern border state of Chiapas does not offer economic conditions much more favorable than in the migrants' home countries – Central American women in particular earn very little money – they migrate anyway because of the suffering back home: economic crises, a precarious social situation, and natural disasters. The job market is also very limited; most women take jobs as domestic or agricultural workers in the informal job market – i.e., off the books.