As President Donald Trump pushes forward with plans to deport undocumented immigrants, Tijuana, a Mexican city near the U.S. border, has declared a state of emergency. This action is meant to secure extra resources and funding to handle a possible increase in deported migrants. The move is precautionary, but local officials are preparing for the challenges that may come with Trump’s stricter immigration policies.
Tijuana, Mexico’s second-largest city, has long been a key stop for migrants trying to enter the United States. With over 30 shelters for migrants, the city is a transit point for people hoping to cross the border. In 2023, more than 100,000 migrants used the CBP One app to schedule appointments for legal entry into the U.S. through Tijuana. However, President Trump ended the app on his first day in office. The app had been a major part of the Biden administration’s strategy for managing migration.
The CBP One app allowed migrants to book appointments at legal border crossings, including in Tijuana, offering a safe and organized way to apply for asylum. Without the app, many migrants may try to find riskier ways to cross the border, putting more pressure on cities like Tijuana. This change has raised concerns among local officials about managing a possible surge in deported migrants or people stranded at the border.
The state of emergency in Tijuana is a proactive step, not a response to immediate problems. The city’s mayor emphasized that the declaration is a way to ensure the city is prepared for any challenges if Trump’s deportation policies lead to more migrants being sent back to Mexico.
Tijuana is home to the San Ysidro Port of Entry, one of the busiest border crossings in the world. In 2023, more than 15 million vehicles and 6 million pedestrians crossed through this point. This makes Tijuana a critical area for migration and U.S.-Mexico border issues.
Trump’s immigration policies, including the mass deportation plans and the end of the CBP One app, represent a sharp contrast to the Biden administration’s approach, which focused on creating legal pathways for migrants. Trump’s policies signal a return to tougher enforcement and stricter border security. This shift has led cities like Tijuana to prepare for possible disruptions.
Tijuana’s shelters are already crowded, and the added pressure from a potential increase in deported migrants could strain the city’s resources. The emergency declaration will help unlock additional funding and improve the city’s ability to handle the situation.
The impact of Trump’s policies goes beyond Tijuana. Migrant advocacy groups are worried about the human toll of mass deportations, especially for people fleeing violence, poverty, and political instability. The end of programs like the CBP One app could force more migrants to take dangerous, unauthorized routes to cross the border.
Tijuana’s state of emergency shows how U.S. and Mexican immigration policies are closely linked, and how changes in one country can affect the other. As Trump’s administration moves forward with its immigration agenda, cities like Tijuana will continue to face the challenges of managing migration.