The embassy fights back: dismantling the viral absurdity of work permits
In a turn of events that no one saw coming (or maybe everyone, because this is repeated more than the Christmas episode of Friends), the United States embassy in Mexico has had to act as a primary school teacher for adults and explain, in large letters and probably with little drawings, that no, things don’t work like that. Their mission: to deny false information more creative than the script of a soap opera, which is circulating on social networks as if it were a divine gift for migrants. Because, of course, what better source for a superpower’s immigration policies than a TikTok video from someone called “ElCoyote2025Official”?
The hoax in question, a gem of the popular imagination, promised the unwary that, as of October 1, the American dream would be reduced to filling out an online form to obtain a five-year work permit. Marvelous! As simple as ordering a pizza, but with the residence included. It’s a shame that reality, always a spoilsport, is much more complicated and less generous.
The cold shower of reality of diplomacy
The diplomatic envoy, Ronald Johnson, probably between a coffee and a high-level meeting, had to dedicate valuable time of his day to clarifying this small detail. With the patience of a saint, or rather with the boredom of someone who has to repeat for the umpteenth time that unicorns do not exist, the embassy insisted that the border remains closed to irregular migration. His message was clear and concise, something like a “Damn the lies!” aimed at those who, with morals more flexible than chewing gum, take advantage of migrants and their legitimate aspirations.
But the statement did not stop at a simple refusal. Oh no. He raised the tone with a warning that should be the motto of the internet: “Don’t believe everything you see on TikTok!”. A pearl of wisdom in an ocean of stupidity, which should be engraved on the home screen of every phone. They concluded by making it clear that immigration policies have not changed, an elegant euphemism to say that the situation remains as complicated as ever.
One can almost imagine the embassy’s communications team, face-palming in unison as they compose the tweet. Meanwhile, the fake video, with its seductive narrative and empty promises, continues to accumulate likes and shares, proving once again that a lie goes halfway around the world before the truth has time to put on its pants. The battle between boring facts and exciting fiction is on, and it seems that fiction has an insulting advantage.
This episode is nothing more than a chapter in the endless saga of immigration misinformation, a genre that flourishes in times of uncertainty and that finds its perfect medium for cultivation on social platforms. The naivety of some and the bad faith of others create an explosive cocktail that puts the most vulnerable people at risk. The embassy, in this case, plays the role of a firefighter trying to put out a fire with a glass of water, while the arsonists continue handing out free matches.
The next time you watch a video promising the magic solution to all your immigration problems, maybe you should ask yourself: if it’s so easy, why hasn’t the government announced it at a press conference instead of some random guy with a dog filter? Logic, that great misunderstood, is sometimes the best tool against misinformation. Meanwhile, the embassy will probably continue to debunk hoaxes about little green Martians who give the green card through telepathic approval. The work never ends.
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