Mexican authorities are rushing to prepare for a potential wave of deported citizens from the United States.
In Ciudad Juarez, massive tent shelters are under construction to house thousands of people. These shelters are expected to be operational within days, according to Enrique Licon, a municipal official. Workers are assembling large metal structures near the Rio Grande, directly across from El Paso, Texas.
A nationwide plan for reception centers
The shelters in Ciudad Juarez are part of a larger national plan. Mexico is setting up reception centers in nine cities along the northern border. These centers will provide basic necessities like food, medical care, and temporary housing. Additionally, deportees will receive assistance with identity documents under the government program “Mexico Embraces You.”
Transportation for deportees
To help deportees return to their hometowns, authorities are organizing a fleet of buses. This logistical effort aims to ease the transition for thousands of individuals being sent back to Mexico.
Trump’s massive deportation plan
President Donald Trump has vowed to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. This plan could potentially impact millions of immigrants. However, experts suggest that such a large-scale effort would take years and incur significant costs.
Origins of the undocumented population
Nearly five million undocumented Mexicans currently live in the United States, according to El Colegio de la Frontera Norte (COLEF). Many of these individuals come from violence-stricken regions in central and southern Mexico. States like Michoacan, Guerrero, and Chiapas have seen entire towns abandoned due to organized crime and poverty.
Concerns over Mexico’s readiness
Despite the preparations, concerns remain about Mexico’s ability to manage such a large-scale influx. On Monday, Jose Luis Perez, a migration official in Tijuana, publicly questioned whether the government was truly ready. Hours after his comments, he was reportedly fired. The municipal government has not addressed the reason for his dismissal.
Challenges for immigration advocates
Immigration advocates share Perez’s concerns. They warn that Mexico’s resources and infrastructure may not be sufficient to handle the sheer volume of deportees. The cancellation of CBP One, a U.S. immigration app, has further complicated matters, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the situation.
As deportations loom, Mexican authorities are under pressure. The construction of shelters and coordination of resources is a race against time. Whether these efforts will be enough remains to be seen.
