With the U.S. government shutdown now in its second month, some American expat residents of Guadalajara, Lakeside and Puerto Vallarta are facing a growing dilemma.  Despite their love of Mexico, returning home at Thanksgiving to gather with family is a cherished tradition for many. However, this is being overshadowed by the threat of major flight disruptions and uncertainty.

Travelers to Europe from North America will soon face new entry requirements as the European Union (EU) rolls out two major systems designed to streamline border processes and bolster security. The first of these, the Entry/Exit System (EES), will go live in October, with full implementation expected by April 2026. The EES aims to replace traditional passport stamping with an automated, electronic process that tracks non-EU nationals entering and exiting the Schengen Area for short stays.

Because most of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s work is deemed “essential,” deportation operations will continue without significant impact during a shutdown, according to the American Immigration Council.

It may do no more than provoke more exhausting court challenges, but the Monday announcement by Donald Trump that he would lead more challenges to the American federal election system as carried out in states could affect whether U.S. citizens residing abroad can participate in the 2026 midterms, and other elections.

A growing number of U.S. expats are considering renouncing their citizenship due to mounting emotional, financial and political costs, according to the 2025 Expat Trends Survey.