What’s their strategy?
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to launch efforts aimed at deporting undocumented immigrants, Mexico is implementing a strategy to support its citizens who are expected to be deported after his inauguration.
The Mexican government plans to open 25 shelters along its northern border to accommodate those deported from the United States. Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda confirmed this plan to the press, stating that the shelters will be ready by January 20. The shelters will be distributed across various locations, including six in Tijuana and two in Mexicali, with each facility capable of housing up to 500 people. The shelters will cater to different groups, such as single men, women, families, and unaccompanied minors.
Originally, the government considered leasing sports facilities for this purpose but opted instead for warehouse spaces to avoid conflicts with scheduled events. Ávila Olmeda emphasized that these shelters would specifically serve people deported after January 20, underscoring the seriousness with which Mexico is approaching Trump’s promises of aggressive deportation policies.
Illegal immigration and border security were central issues during Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, which targeted the Biden-Harris administration for allowing immigrants with criminal records to enter the U.S. Governor Ávila Olmeda expressed concern that the new administration would enforce stricter deportations than before. “What we do know is that throughout his campaign, Trump threatened to take action, and now that he is president-elect, we believe the deportations will be tougher,” she stated.
The shelters will provide short-term housing for deported Mexican nationals, who can stay for one to two days before being sent back to their homes in Mexico. The facilities will not accommodate foreign nationals, as the shelters are exclusively for Mexicans returning from the U.S.
In November, Trump announced the appointment of Tom Homan, the former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as “border czar” in his administration. Homan, who has extensive experience in law enforcement and border security, vowed to oversee the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. Homan has been vocal in his criticism of the Biden administration’s immigration policies, blaming them for rising migrant deaths and the influx of fentanyl across the border.
The Biden administration’s immigration approach has faced significant scrutiny, particularly after the tragic death of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, allegedly at the hands of an illegal immigrant. The U.S. House Judiciary Committee’s report has also pointed out that individuals released under current border policies, such as Riley’s alleged killer, have gone on to commit violent crimes.
As Trump’s administration gears up for its deportation efforts, Mexico is bracing for a significant influx of its citizens being returned from the U.S., with officials working to ensure their safe and respectful reception.
