I know for a fact that Mexican nationals have been repatriating for the last two years. Given the choice of being out of work in a foreign and often hostile country or going home, where it is much easier to enter into entrepreneurial ventures, makes a lot of sense. If I had a peso for every person I've met here that has worked in the US, I'd be living large. Miguel, my landlord, used to work in Kemah, TX. Ike wiped out many jobs including his. I am renting his house, while he and his family live with his parents. Anselmo, my friend and taxi driver, lived in North Carolina for 10 years, he still has a house there. Gigi, my neighbor, teaches english here. She used to live in the same neighborhood as me in Texas. Another neighbor, Pasqual, lived all over the US, now he is opening his second tienda here. Every time I'm in town, I run into someone who used to work in the US. A few ask me if I know of any work up there but most seem content here.
In the US, to start a business, you need licenses, permits and tons of government regulations. Here, you just start it. There is no licensing and inspecting of the eating establishments. To some, this would seem dangerous and unhealthy but you know what, I eat at these places all the time and I have yet to get sick. I do not know anybody that has gotten sick from eating at these places, either. People who run these businesses know what would happen if someone got sick from their food, they would be out of business or at the very least, lose a lot of business before recovering.
My little neighborhood has 3 little stores that people has established in their homes. Much like a convenience store, they have bread, milk, water, soda, candy, canned goods, etc, they don't have to get permission from anyone to open. There are many vendors lining every street in town, selling all kinds of meat, fresh fruits, snacks, toys, trinkets, pens, buttons, everything imaginable (except rolling papers).
The only intrusion they have to deal with is paying the cartel to stay in business but even that is better than dealing with an over-intrusive and oppressive government. If you pay them, the cartel will leave you alone.
