How Mexico is preparing amid Trump's mass deportation threats

Amid Trump’s threats of mass deportation, the Mexican government has began preparing to face what’s coming. President Claudia Sheinbaum has said that they intend to establish a collaborative scheme with the US, as well as being open to taking in deported non-Mexican migrants.

According to AP News, Sheinbaum said that, although Mexico does not support deportations, it is prepared to collaborate with the United States in case the country is unable to repatriate migrants to their countries of origin, according to AP News.

Sheinbaum emphasized that Mexico has prepared a comprehensive plan to welcome deported citizens and announced that specific mechanisms will be established in collaboration with the United States government.

Historically, Mexico has accepted non-Mexican deportees under certain conditions, especially during the previous administration of Donald Trump.

Critics warn that mass deportations will face significant logistical challenges, especially in border cities that already face high levels of organized crime, according to CNN.

The Mexico-US border continues to be a critical scenario for migrants, registering a significant increase in irregular entries. At the same time, border cities experience high rates of organized crime, a situation that makes non-Mexican migrants especially susceptible to kidnapping and extortion.

Mexico has strengthened its consulates in the United States and is implementing measures to protect migrants, including legal and humanitarian assistance.

One such measure is a ‘panic button’ app, thought out for people in a situation of imminent detention. The app will alert the nearest Mexican consulate and notify family members of the person facing deportation, according to the LA Times.

Officials said that a legal aid program for Mexicans in the US includes more than 300 advisors at 53 consulates. Additional support comes from consultants and law firms to “let vulnerable migrants know they have rights”, Sheinbaum said.

According to Mexican officials, an estimated 11.5 million Mexicans have legal U.S. residency, while 4.8 million lack legal status or documentation.

Additionally, the remittances sent by Mexican migrants in the US constitute nearly 4% of Mexico's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with a record figure estimated at 65 billion dollars for this year.

President Claudia Sheinbaum has reiterated that the Mexican government's priority will be to care for deported Mexican citizens, although the possibility of receiving deportees of other nationalities will remain open.

The Mexican government is in talks with other Latin American countries to facilitate the direct repatriation of deported migrants, preventing them from reaching Mexican territory, according to DW.

Mexican authorities have reported a significant increase in irregular migratory traffic. According to the INM, 925,085 cases had been recorded by August 2024, compared to 398,991 the previous year.

Mexico is preparing to face possible humanitarian crises resulting from an increase in deportations.

In addition, the country is working with non-governmental organisations to ensure the well-being of migrants arriving in the country.

Immigration specialists have warned that a mass deportation could becomplex both logistically and financially for the United States.

Mexico's openness to receiving non-Mexican deportees reflects a significant shift in its immigration policy, seeking to balance external pressure with its own capabilities and respect for human rights.

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