Mexico Prepares Emergency Shelters Amid Trump’s Deportation Threats
Mexican soldiers moved quickly on Thursday to establish emergency shelters near the U.S. border in response to former President Donald Trump’s renewed push for mass deportations.
The Mexican government announced plans to open nine shelters for its citizens and three for deported foreigners under an initiative called “Mexico Embraces You.” However, officials did not disclose the total capacity of these shelters.
In Matamoros, a city across the border from Brownsville, Texas, navy personnel set up olive-green tents on a large sports field, according to an AFP correspondent. Local authorities stated that one of the shelters being constructed in Tamaulipas state will accommodate up to 3,000 people.
President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized Mexico’s commitment to providing humanitarian aid to deported migrants, including those from other countries, before facilitating their repatriation.
On Monday, Trump resumed his position as U.S. president and declared a national emergency at the southern border, vowing to deport “millions and millions” of migrants. His administration announced the reinstatement of the “Remain in Mexico” policy, requiring migrants seeking U.S. entry to stay in Mexico while their applications are processed.
Additionally, the White House suspended an asylum program for migrants fleeing authoritarian regimes in Central and South America, leaving thousands stranded on Mexico’s side of the border. On Wednesday, Trump’s office revealed that 1,500 additional military personnel had been deployed to the border.
In response, Mexico’s government reaffirmed its commitment to assisting migrants. It also highlighted a December initiative to launch a mobile app with an alert button for undocumented Mexicans at risk of detention in the United States, where millions of undocumented Mexican nationals currently reside.
