April 23, 2025 · 11:50 am

Getting Stuff Done Before the End of the World

I’ve been watching the ups and downs of the US economy, trying to figure out how it will affect me in Mexico. From what I can tell, Mexicans dependent on their jobs at US factories located in Mexico might be in for a bumpy ride. In April, several Mexican production plants closed or paused operations. 

However, we have a strong local economy and are not dependent on imported items. So, food and shelter seem stable enough. Clothing not so much—even though I live in a textile-centered area, I’m never very happy with local apparel options. Fortunately, there were end-of-season sales at Surbubia and Coppel in the next town over that I stumbled upon, and I was able to stock up on some long-overdue wardrobe necessities. That ought to keep me for a while. 

Amazon purchases are on hold for me. The import increase Amazon implemented in January has diminished my desire for any online shopping. Unfortunately, all of my books are printed in the US, so when I want a copy of my own writing, I’ll have to suck it up and pay more. 

I have also been concerned about my job. I teach English to students around the world. With the fear that international students are feeling about forced ICE disappearances, English may not be in such high demand, which will impact my hours and, of course, pay.

Then there are some banking worries. I currently have a Capital One 360 online account that I set up some time ago. When Skype announced they were shutting down, I was a bit panicked. Changes in policies meant that I could not use another VOIP number for verification purposes, like I did when I set up the account. After considerable research, I signed up with OpenPhone, which is still a VOIP, but I could port my existing Skype phone number, which meant I didn’t have to change my phone number on record for my bank account. 

I’m sure this is a temporary fix, so I also inquired at my job about switching my paycheck deposits to a Mexican bank (which I could do since they pay via a third-party payment platform). 

Only, to open a new Mexican bank account, I need to have a valid US passport since my permanent residency card, CURP, and RFC are not enough. My passport expired in October of last year, and I had been putting off renewing because of the cost and hassle. After some extensive research, I determined I could renew by mail. Hot dog! 

I had my son take my picture and ran it through an online passport picture checker to ensure it was okay. Then I went to a local photo place and had them print it out. I paid online and received an email confirmation. Next stop was to print out and sign the application and the payment confirmation email, which I did at a ciber in town. Then I attached my photo and headed to DHL. There, I paid for two waybills, one to send everything to the consulate in Guadalajara and one to receive it at the DHL office. 

A few days later, I received a confirmation email that said everything looked good. Then a few days after that, I received an email that said they were printing my passport and would send it out shortly. Of course, Semana Santa messed with the shipping schedule, but I received an email the following week confirming it was on its way. Then I just had to wait for it to arrive at the DHL office before going and picking it up. 

My banking worries aren’t over yet. I’m due for a new bank card this month. The card is sent to my friend’s house in the US, who then sends it to me. Last time, it ended up in Guatemala on its round-the-world trek. Hopefully, this time, there will be no issues. If I must, I will set up a Mexican bank account, but you know how much I love banking, and I’ll delay as long as I can.

I’m also a bit anxious about the latest student loan repayment process set to begin next month. When there was a chance for forgiveness or forbearance, I applied. But now that those options have been taken off the table, and wage garnishment is being threatened, well, I’ll need to reconsider pretty much everything. 

Overall, though, these are stressful annoyances in comparison to other issues happening in the horror that has become the US. Come what may, I’ll find a way to make it work here in Mexico, come hell or high water. 

***

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April 14, 2025 · 7:36 am

Chicken Feather Guy’s Chueca

During one of our Yacata business receiving days, the Chicken Feather Guy showed up to demand recognition of a certificate he had in his possession. Everything that came out of his mouth was a lie. But we’ll get to that in a minute. When things ended up not going his way, he started spouting threats. He threatened legal action. He threatened to go to the presidencia (town hall). He threatened bringing his moros (I expect he meant his henchmen…disagreeable individuals that will do his bidding.) 

Unraveling the tale wasn’t all that difficult. Here’s how this started. Chuchi, the previous person in charge, sold lots to the left, lots to the right, lots that didn’t exist, lots with other owners, and so on. This lot in question was part of a parcel that belonged to Super Prez’s father, and he has the documentation to prove it. Chuchi sold it anyway to an elderly gentleman known as Fidel el Pancho Villa. Good ol’ Pancho Villa came out regularly with his personal albanil (bricklayer) on his tricycle and eventually a sort of finca (structure), complete with wagon wheel window, evolved. We called it la chueca (the crooked house) because, man, was it crooked. 

Eventually, Pancho Villa died, and his son found the certificate. He came out one day to La Yacata to talk to me about it on a huge spotted horse. I told him that, unfortunately, this certificate was not valid. For clarification, he’d need to speak with Super Prez. So he did. I don’t know if he rode his horse there or not; Super Prez never mentioned it. But the conversation occurred. 

Knowing that the certificate was not valid, the son of Pancho Villa sold it anyway for $5000. The new owner, Huesos (Boney), had some chickens and came out for a while, but less than 6 months later, he sold the lot to Chicken Feather Guy for $3,500 and a potrillo (colt). He told Chicken Feather Guy there were problems with the lot, having talked to me about it, and that he was selling the certificate as is. Chicken Feather Guy came to me with the certificate, and I told him the same story. He seemed to accept that and dismantled the structure that Pancho Villa had built so that he could at least recoup some of his investment. 

Ten years later, he shows up during our “office hours.” I told Super Prez that I wasn’t getting involved because he just infuriates me. Super Prez said to him that the certificate wasn’t valid. Chicken Feather Guy insisted that it was because my husband measured the lot. Then he said he had a certificate issued by us, which wasn’t true. Then he said no one ever told him the certificate was invalid. Of course, I know that I spoke with him personally. I confirmed with Huesos that he had as well. My husband and the Cow Barn Guy had also talked to Chicken Feather Guy about the lot have problems. 

Super Prez asked him to bring all his documentation so we could meet again next week. Chicken Feather Guy hemmed and hawed and then again said he’d go directly to the mayor’s brother. Super Prez countered that he had just come from a meeting with the mayor’s brother, indicating that wasn’t a valid threat. Chicken Feather said he was going to bring everyone involved, Huesos, Pancho Villa’s son, and my husband. Super Prez that was a great idea. Chicken Feather Guy left in a huff. 

Minutes after he left, I happened upon Cow Barn Guy with Huesos on my walk with Cocoa. I confirmed the story as I knew it and both verified that they had told Chicken Feather Guy about issues with the lot, and he bought it anyway. 

As Chicken Feather Guy is a disagreeable sort, I’m sure we haven’t heard the last of it. 

****

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April 12, 2025 · 2:39 pm

Watching Human Rights Slip Away

I have to say that the past few months have left me appalled at the actions of the US government. And if current actions are anything to go on, I will continue to be appalled as human rights are stripped from every single immigrant in the land where diversity was once celebrated. 

Because of my community involvement, I regularly come into contact with Norteños (individuals who are Mexican but spend most of their time in the north, otherwise known as the US). Over the past few months, I have been vocal about cautioning them ahead of their intended return when the opportunity arises. The typical response I get is “de lengua me como un taco” which means it’s all exaggerated talk. Some have told me they don’t want to hear anything about it, preferring a head-in-the-sand approach. On their own head be it, then. Others argue that they’ve been in the US for x number of years and nothing bad has happened and that the US could not maintain itself without immigrant workers (both legal and undocumented). While that may be true, it doesn’t seem to faze the current administration. 

Here are some of the things that I’ve been stressing out about because I am powerless to do ANYTHING about it. 

  • The Venezuelan and Salvadorean men that have been sent to CECOT will never see their families again. Despite legal injunctions, more have been deported to that hellhole on Earth this week. 
  • Student protests are grounds for removal. Beliefs that counter those held by those in power are not to be expressed. 
  • Routine traffic stops, immigration check-ins, and social media posts are all grounds for removal.
  • Filing taxes with a legally issued ITIN number gives ICE an excuse to come for you. And even if you have a social security number, you can arbitrarily be declared dead, rendering you unable to work, have a bank account, get a driver’s license, pay taxes, get health insurance, and so on. 
  • Noncitizens aged 14 and older who have been in the U.S. for 30 days or more are legally required to register with USCIS. The registration process involves providing personal information, including fingerprints, address history, and other biographic details. Registered individuals are required to carry proof of registration at all times. 
  • Immigrants waiting for their hearings have been sent messages telling them to self-deport immediately.

I saw that there have been nationwide protests. So what? The individuals in power aren’t stopping. In fact, they’ve become even more brazen. 

History has already shown us what the end result will be. The family detention camps have already been built. 

Here are some links to further reading in case you missed these alarming developments:

📄 News Articles

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