June 9, 2026
New Ban on Dogs Coming From the U.S. to Mexico: What Cross-Border Movers Need to Know
On June 7, 2026 Mexico suspended imports of pet dogs & several other animals from every U.S. state after new World screwworm cases were confirmed in Texas & New Mexico. Here is what it means if you are planning a move to San Miguel de Allende with pets.
Confusion erupted this week after both Mexico & the United States announced new animal movement restrictions following several confirmed New World screwworm cases in Texas & New Mexico. If you are in the middle of planning a move to San Miguel de Allende with pets, here is a clear read on what changed, what it means, & what to do next.
What Mexico announced
As of June 7, 2026, Mexico's animal health authority SENASICA (Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria) announced an immediate suspension on imports of several animals from all U.S. states. The suspension covers pet dogs, cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine, ferrets, & certain commercial & pet birds including songbirds, ornamental birds & raptors. The measure is precautionary & sits on top of the existing U.S. southbound livestock controls already in place since last year.
Why now: the screwworm context
The trigger is the New World screwworm, a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals. The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed five cases in the past week, including a 3-week-old calf in La Pryor, Texas on June 3, a second calf nearby, additional livestock in La Salle & Gillespie counties, & a dog in Lea County, New Mexico. Animal health officials are still investigating the dog's travel history. Canada also announced its own temporary limits on June 5 for animals coming from or recently present in Texas.
Who is affected
If you were planning to drive or fly into Mexico with a family dog in the coming weeks, this directly affects you. Until SENASICA lifts or modifies the suspension, pet dogs from any U.S. state are not being admitted at land borders or airports. Cats are not on the published list, but rules around pets evolve quickly during an outbreak response, so always confirm same-week before you travel.
What to do if you are mid-move
A few practical steps if your relocation is already in motion:
First, do not improvise at the border. Officers are working from current SENASICA guidance & turning animals around is not unusual when a suspension is fresh. Pause the drive, find boarding on the U.S. side, & wait for clarity.
Second, get a current health certificate & up-to-date rabies & parasite documentation from your U.S. veterinarian now, so you are ready the day the suspension is modified or lifted. A clean, recent veterinary record is the single most useful thing to have on hand.
Third, talk to your international pet mover before you book or rebook flights. Reputable cross-border movers track SENASICA & USDA APHIS bulletins daily & will know the moment commercial pet flights into Mexico City, Guadalajara, Bajío or Querétaro reopen. Our guide to international movers is a good starting point.
Fourth, build flexibility into your housing timeline. If you were closing on a home in San Miguel & flying down with the dog the same week, expect to need a short-term rental bridge. This is one of the reasons we usually recommend renting before you buy when you are relocating with pets, even briefly.
What this does not change
This is an animal health measure, not an immigration or real estate change. U.S. & Canadian citizens can still travel to Mexico, still apply for residency, & still buy property in San Miguel de Allende under the same rules. If you want a refresher on how ownership actually works for foreigners, our legal foundation guide & buyer's roadmap walk through it step by step.
The expat community here is large, well-connected, & full of people who have moved pets across the border. You will not be navigating this alone.
Stay close to the source
Two pages worth bookmarking while this evolves: the USDA APHIS U.S.-to-Mexico pet travel page, & SENASICA's official bulletins. Local Mexican news outlets often report movement before English-language sources catch up, so if you read some Spanish, follow them too.
If you are planning a move to San Miguel de Allende & want help sequencing the housing, the residency, & the pet logistics so they actually line up, get in touch. We do this with families every month & can help you avoid the most common timing mistakes.
