“Un Nahual en el Imperio” Arrives at the Chamber of Deputies: A Landmark Work for Understanding the Mexican Diaspora in the United States
Mexico City | December 9, 2025. — The Chamber of Deputies hosted the presentation of the book Un Nahual en el Imperio, written by Mexican journalist Maurizio Guerrero and published by Grano de Sal, a work that has become essential reading for understanding the Mexican migratory experience, historic inequality, and the building of transnational citizenship in the United States.
Through a blend of chronicle, biography, and reportage, Un Nahual en el Imperio reconstructs the life of don Jaime Lucero, a Mixtec migrant from Puebla whose story—marked by extreme poverty, structural violence, entrepreneurial intuition, and community building—becomes a window into understanding the historic neglect of the Mexican diaspora and its fight for political representation. The cover art is the work of renowned cartoonist Felipe Galindo “Feggo.”
Critics and specialists have highlighted the relevance of the work:
“This book demonstrates how the ingenuity and perseverance of migrants always outpace the agendas and plans of governments, and how they have raised their collective voice as civic and political actors…” — Dr. Ernesto Castañeda, American University
“By presenting the biography of one of the leading figures in the migrant community, Guerrero reveals the historical coordinates of the Mexican diaspora in New York, as well as its dialogue at the local, national, and binational levels…” — David Brooks, La Jornada
The work is part of a national tour that has already included presentations at the Guadalajara International Book Fair, the Universidad Politécnica de Tlaxcala, the BUAP, and other venues, where it has been received with enthusiasm by readers and academics alike.
In the coming days, Un Nahual en el Imperio will be presented at the Museo Morelense de Arte Contemporáneo Juan Soriano (December 10), the Cafebrería El Péndulo – Foro El Tejedor (December 16, Mexico City), and the Puebla State Legislature (December 18). Each venue aims to open spaces for reflection on the reality of migrants and its impact on the country.
Presentation at the Chamber of Deputies
The book presentation was led by Rep. Ulises Mejía Haro, joined by Dr. Miguel Moctezuma Longoria, a researcher at UAZ and the first advocate for affirmative-action measures to secure seats for Mexican migrants; journalist Mauricio Guerrero; Tomás Granados, editorial director of Grano de Sal; and don Jaime Lucero, founding president of Fuerza Migrante.
The session at San Lázaro included the participation of representatives from all parliamentary groups: Rep. Marcela Guerra Castillo, Rep. Liliana Ortiz Pérez, Rep. Nadia Navarro Acevedo, Rep. Fátima Almendra Cruz Peláez, Rep. Eduardo Castillo López, as well as migrant representatives Aniceto Polanco Morales and Blanca Leticia Gutiérrez Garza.
Among those in attendance was Dr. Daniel Tacher, a specialist in migration and voting from abroad, whose guidance and analysis were instrumental in implementing the affirmative-action measures that enabled the representation of Mexican migrants in the Chamber of Deputies; María García, a returning migrant and advocate for Mexico City's migrant seat; and Alejandro Herrejón, director of the legal network for migrants SEJUMERE.
Also present were Dr. Gonzalo Badillo Moreno, a specialist in parliamentary law, human rights, elections, and legislative studies; Mtro. Arturo Ríos Camarena, technical secretary of the Committee on Migrant Affairs; and Mtro. Horacio Ramírez, technical secretary of the Committee on Tourism. Representing Mtra. Rocío Mejía was Lic. Fernando Luis Sánchez Mejora, deputy director of Communications at Finabien, along with Lic. Ghandi Góngora Romero, manager in charge of the Remittances Area.
The presentation opened up a much-needed dialogue on the challenges facing the migrant community and the urgency of strengthening coordination among organizations, academia, and lawmakers to advance policies that recognize their contributions and ensure their inclusion in the country's public life.
