The Mexican government is building temporary shelters in border cities to receive Mexican nationals deported from the United States under U.S. President Donald Trump’s planned mass deportations. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to address potential challenges posed by the reimplementation of strict U.S. immigration policies.
Shelters Rise Along the Border
Construction of the temporary shelters began on January 21, with workers in Juárez assembling structures just across the Rio Grande from El Paso. By January 23, several shelters were nearing completion. Similar facilities are under construction in eight additional Mexican border cities.
The initiative, called “Mexico Embraces You,” was launched by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo on January 20, a day before the U.S. presidential inauguration. It aims to provide housing, food, medical care, and other essential services for deported Mexican nationals.
According to Sheinbaum Pardo, the shelters will include potable water, garbage collection, and power generators. Additionally, 189 buses will be available to transport deportees to their hometowns. Enrique Serrano, head of the State Population Council in Chihuahua, confirmed that the shelters are exclusively for Mexican nationals, while the National Institute of Migration will assist foreign nationals.
“Remain in Mexico” Policy and Humanitarian Aid
The Trump administration has reactivated the Migration Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as the “Remain in Mexico” policy. This policy requires non-Mexican asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases proceed in the U.S. Mexiconeeds to approve to reimplement this policy. President Sheinbaum Pardo has indicated her willingness to cooperate, though she emphasized Mexico’s commitment to providing humanitarian aid for non-Mexican migrants.
The shelters in Juárez will not serve migrants from other countries. Three federally run shelters in the city are offering services to migrants awaiting asylum. Sheinbaum Pardo highlighted the government’s responsibility to assist those in need, particularly given the harsh winter conditions in regions like Chihuahua.
Decline in Border Crossings
The number of migrants reaching the U.S.-Mexico border near El Paso has dropped significantly. The El Paso Sector recorded a 63% decrease in Border Patrol encounters, according to Customs and Border Protection data. This decline is partially attributed to Mexico’s stricter policies, which prevent migrants from traveling north from the southern border near Guatemala.
Mexico has also pledged to help foreign migrants return to their home countries if needed. These measures reflect the government’s commitment to balancing humanitarian aid with the logistical demands of managing the border region.
The construction of shelters and the provision of essential services underscore Mexico’s proactive approach to addressing the implications of U.S. immigration policies while ensuring the welfare of deportees and migrants.
