Mexico is preparing for an influx of deportees by setting up large tents along the U.S. border as officials anticipate the implementation of mass deportations promised by Donald Trump. On Wednesday, cranes were busy at an empty lot adjacent to El Paso, Texas, lifting metal structures intended to serve as temporary shelters for deportees in Ciudad Juárez. Enrique Serrano, a local official, emphasized that these tents represent just the initial phase of a potentially expansive effort, with plans to adapt as the number of migrants at the border increases. He also indicated that individuals deported from the U.S. might be redirected to larger cities like Mexico City or regions in the south, similar to past practices.
Similarly, the border town of Nogales, opposite Nogales, Arizona, announced plans to establish shelters in local gymnasiums and on soccer fields. Other border cities, including Matamoros and Piedras Negras, are implementing comparable initiatives to accommodate the expected influx.
Reports from Tijuana highlight individuals claiming to have been deported in the latest wave, carrying their belongings in simple orange bags. Although the number of deportees reported on Tuesday was lower than the average of around 500 last year, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum noted the previously high occupancy rates at migrant shelters are currently down compared to a year prior.
Despite the slight decrease in deportations, directors of migrant shelters such as José María Garcia from Movimiento Juventud 2000 in Tijuana are bracing for a potential crisis as mass deportations and an influx of migrants converge on border cities. Garcia expressed concerns that this could overwhelm local resources.
To tackle the anticipated surge, the Mexican government is erecting nine shelters in border towns and planning on utilizing existing facilities in Tijuana, Ciudad Juárez, and Matamoros for migrants who could no longer pursue their asylum claims after their appointments were canceled on Inauguration Day. Sheinbaum has committed to providing humanitarian support for all affected migrants, including those under the recently reinstated “Remain in Mexico” policy, eventually returning them to their home countries voluntarily.
Conversations between Mexican Foreign Affairs Secretary Juan Ramón de la Fuente and Marco Rubio, the newly appointed U.S. Secretary of State, have reportedly focused on migration and security topics, reflecting ongoing discussions on border policies. On Monday, Trump announced a significant policy change, eliminating the previously established CBP One program that allowed asylum seekers to schedule their appointments in advance. The Pentagon is also deploying up to 1,500 active-duty troops to the border in conjunction with these changes.
In Tijuana, Garcia mentioned that preparations are underway to manage the expected influx of deportees. The Mexican government plans to assist deported individuals by providing transportation back to their homes and offering monetary support of approximately 2,000 pesos (about $100) to meet their immediate needs.
Reverend Juan Fierro, who runs the Good Samaritan shelter in Ciudad Juárez, is also readying for the anticipated changes. His shelter has seen shifts from predominantly young men seeking work to families in search of asylum, reflecting broader political dynamics in the U.S. During Trump’s first term, many asylum seekers found themselves waiting in Mexico for extended periods, sometimes up to three years.
Fierro’s shelter, currently capable of accommodating 180 people and feeding around 50 daily, has experienced reduced migration numbers recently. However, he is wary of an impending increase and hopes to provide deported individuals with time to consider their next steps, be it returning home, exploring job opportunities in other parts of Mexico, or attempting to re-enter the U.S.
Fierro stated, “The people who want to make it to the United States are going to look for a way to do it.” As the situation evolves, local shelters and officials prepare for the challenges ahead.
