his paper analyzes the involvement of Mexican women in the formal and infor- mal self-employment sector in a large metropolitan area of Arizona. Qualitative research is used to explore factors that impact self-employment activities of Mexi- can immigrant women in light of Arizonas emerging policies aimed at control- ling immigration. These policies seek to make it more difficult for undocumented immigrants to access employment opportunities. Womens testimonials highlight the headaches caused by participating in the labor market amid growing restric- tions, as well as the creative, hybrid forms of self-employment that combine both formal and informal markets and practices.