The mayor of Nogales, a northern Mexican city on the border with Arizona, says the United States has revoked his visa making him the latest Mexican official to lose the privilege.
In a video posted on X, Juan Francisco Gim announced: “The United States government has taken a measure regarding my immigration status, which I respect.”
Gim, a member of Mexico’s ruling Morena party, said the move was part of “an administrative process” and stressed that US authorities had not accused him of “anything improper at all.” He added that he continues to carry out his duties, including taking part in binational security meetings.
The US State Department, citing confidentiality rules, declined to comment on the reasons for the revocation.
Gim now joins a growing list of Mexican officials facing similar actions. In May 2024, Marina del Pilar Ávila, governor of the border state of Baja California — also from Morena — confirmed her US visa had been canceled.
Last month, Gim drew attention after praising Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown in an interview on Fox News, calling it a way of “cleaning house.”
Visa issues have also recently hit Mexico’s entertainment scene. Popular artists including Grupo Firme, Julión Álvarez, and Lorenzo de Monteclaro have had to cancel or postpone US performances.
In April, the visas of Los Alegres del Barranco were revoked after the band displayed images of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, alias “El Mencho”, during a concert. Washington has designated the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which he leads, as a terrorist organization.
