Mexican officials are ramping up preparations for potential mass deportations under the incoming Trump administration by opening 25 new migrant shelters. Baja California Governor Marina Del Pilar Avila Olmeda announced the initiative during a press conference in Tijuana this week, according to Border Report.
The shelters, set to open when Donald Trump assumes office on January 20, 2025, will primarily house Mexican citizens deported from the United States. The move comes as Trump reiterates his campaign promise to deport approximately 13 million undocumented immigrants residing in the U.S.
While specific details of Trump’s deportation plans remain unclear, Avila Olmeda emphasized that Mexican authorities are taking the situation seriously. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has also confirmed ongoing discussions with international counterparts to prepare for the potential surge in deportations.
The new shelters aim to provide immediate support for returnees, but challenges remain. Mexico continues to face criticism for its treatment of migrants from other nationalities. Meanwhile, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported over 271,000 deportations in the 2024 fiscal year, including nearly 50,000 family units and over 400 unaccompanied children.
The Trump administration’s previous immigration policies, including the controversial 2017 family separation policy, have left lasting impacts. As Mexico braces for similar measures, the need for humanitarian resources and coordinated efforts has become more urgent than ever.