MEXICO CITY — In an effort to assist migrants facing the possibility of detention by U.S. immigration authorities, Mexico is in the process of creating a mobile application. This initiative was announced by a high-ranking official on Friday, highlighting the country’s proactive stance in light of threats from President-elect Donald Trump regarding mass deportations starting January 20.

The application has undergone initial testing phases and has reportedly shown promising results, according to Juan Ramón de la Fuente, the Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs. He described the app as a type of panic button that allows users to alert chosen family members and the nearest Mexican consulate if they feel they are on the verge of being detained.

De la Fuente explained that with just a press of a button, users can send out an immediate alert, which would notify the nearby consulate for assistance. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “In case you find yourself in a situation where detention is imminent, you push the alert button, and that sends a signal to the nearest consulate.”

According to regulations, U.S. authorities must inform the consulate of a detainee’s home country about the detention. In anticipation of increased detentions, Mexico is enhancing its consular personnel and providing legal aid to assist migrants navigating the deportation process.

The app is expected to be fully launched in January, although details about its features, including whether it has an option to cancel alerts after they have been sent, remain uncertain. Additionally, the Mexican government has established a dedicated call center that operates around the clock to respond to inquiries from migrants.

Currently, the Mexican government estimates that there are approximately 11.5 million migrants in the United States with some form of legal residency, while around 4.8 million individuals live without legal status or necessary documentation.