Mexico scrambles to build tents to handle mass deportations from US
The Mexican government is taking swift action to prepare for an expected influx of Mexicans returned to their native country as a result of President Donald Trump’s promised mass deportations. In Ciudad Juárez, large encampments are being constructed to house thousands of people in tent shelters that will provide temporary housing, food, medical care, and assistance in obtaining identity documents.
City official Enrique Licon described the scale of the operation as “unprecedented,” with shelter and reception centers being built in nine cities south of the U.S.-Mexico border. The goal is to ensure that deported Mexicans are provided with the necessary support and resources as they transition back to Mexico.
The government plans to offer transportation for Mexican nationals to return to their hometowns, easing the process of reintegration into their communities. This initiative comes in response to Trump’s campaign promise to carry out the largest mass deportations of illegal immigrants in U.S. history.
Since Trump assumed office, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has already made over 460 arrests, targeting illegal immigrants with criminal records, including those with histories of violent crimes. The arrests have taken place across various states in the U.S., with individuals from countries such as Afghanistan, Colombia, El Salvador, and Mexico being detained.
The Mexican think tank El Colegio de la Frontera Norte (COLEF) estimates that nearly five million Mexicans are living in the United States without authorization, many of whom are from regions affected by violence and poverty. Trump’s policies to combat criminal illegal aliens have led to a surge in deportations, prompting Mexico to ramp up its efforts to support repatriated individuals.
Despite concerns from immigration activists about the potential strain on Mexico’s resources, the government remains committed to supporting its citizens who are being deported. Mexico’s Interior Minister Rosa Icela Rodriguez emphasized the country’s readiness to care for deportees, pledging to allocate whatever is necessary to assist those being repatriated.
As Trump renews policies aimed at curbing illegal immigration, Mexico is preparing to receive and support its returning citizens. The collaboration between the two countries underscores the complex challenges posed by migration and the importance of coordinated efforts to address them effectively.
