Crossing the border for work has been going on for 60+ years in California/Mexico.
For example, back in the 1950’s my father in law(now 85) worked in San Diego. He went to San Diego state and worked at the General Dynamics/Lockeed Martin aircraft factory assembling Corvair jets. He lived across the border in Tijuana. He was a young gringo from NH. Back in the day, it was very safe to live there. It was also cheaper to live in Tijuana. He lived there for five years. By the time he moved back to NH he was fluent in Spanish.
How was the golf tournament? Interesting story about your FIL.