Mexican shelters brace for Trump’s revived immigration policies
With Trump’s termination of CBP One app and plans for border crackdown, migrant shelters in Mexico prepare for potential surges, resource strain, and humanitarian challenges ahead
By Fatma Zehra Solmaz
ISTANBUL (AA) – Migrant shelters across Mexico are bracing for potential surges, resource strain, and humanitarian challenges as US President Donald Trump reinstates strict border policies immediately after Monday’s inauguration.
Among his initial executive orders were several targeting immigration, leaving shelters in a state of uncertainty.
“There is collective nervousness … about the decisions made by President Trump’s administration,” said Jamie Marin, director of the Jardin de las Mariposas shelter in Tijuana.
Marin’s concerns reflect the growing unease as Trump issued a series of executive actions, many directly affecting migration policy, as reported by CNN.
- Fears among migrants
The emotional toll on migrants is also a significant concern.
Albertina Pauletti from the Madre Assunta in Tijuana, Mexico, highlighted the broader needs of displaced individuals, telling CNN: “It’s not just about providing a bed and some food. We have to create a space to help people psychologically and spiritually.”
Adding to the challenges, Trump’s decision to end the CBP One app has compounded fears among migrants.
The app, introduced by the Biden administration in 2023, was a critical resource for asylum seekers, allowing them to schedule legal border appointments. Its termination has left many migrants stranded and uncertain about their next steps.
This abrupt decision left tens of thousands of migrants stranded, without any alternative means to seek asylum.
Nearly 270,000 migrants in Mexico were seeking scheduling, according to CBS News.
The app was launched in October 2020, and according to CBS, nearly 919,000 migrants have used it to enter the US since January 2023.
The app, which granted 1,450 daily appointments at eight border crossings, had become a lifeline for nearly a million migrants, especially from Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba, and Mexico.
Moments after Trump was sworn in, the CBP One website announced its shutdown, stating that “existing appointments have been canceled.”
Migrants like Victoria Garcia, staying at the shelter with her family, voiced fears about Trump’s policies, including the termination of the CBP One app.
“We’ve been here for seven months waiting for our CBP appointment. We are worried but hope he introduces an alternative to help us apply for asylum.” Garcia told the AZ Family News.
While waiting for her appointment, Garcia’s husband works in construction, her children attend school, and she helps feed 100-150 vulnerable people daily at the shelter.
- Voluntary return, deportation
Immigration attorney Rolando Vasquez told NewsNation that some of his clients who entered under the Biden administration started voluntarily returning home even before Trump’s second term began, fearing deportation under the next administration.
Mexico now accepts non-Mexican deportees, impacting Cuban and Venezuelan migrants most, as those countries may take deportees from Mexico rather than the US
“This is causing many migrants to leave on their own,” Vazquez said, adding: “The overwhelming majority of them do not want to be in Mexico” due to the possible threats of kidnapping, exploitation or extortion with no clear protection plan in place.
Humanitarian workers have reported to CNN that President Trump’s revived immigration policies have significantly intensified the challenges in supporting migrants.
These policies have created increased uncertainty, strained already limited resources, and sparked widespread concern among migrant communities and support networks.
Shelters in Mexican border cities, such as Tijuana and San Luis Río Colorado, are feeling the impact most acutely.
In Baja California’s northwestern region alone, more than 30 shelters are in operation, yet space and resources remain critically limited.
- Resources stretched thin at shelters
At Casa del Migrante La Divina Providencia, located near the Arizona border, resources are stretched particularly thin. The shelter, which can accommodate only 70 migrants, is already at capacity.
Manager Salgado highlighted the importance of maintaining dignity in their services stating: “Dignity means that they have a clean bed to sleep in and three meals to eat,” reported the AZ Family News.
The shelter’s challenges were further exacerbated during the pandemic when overcrowding forced them to place beds in the patio.
Salgado described the situation as “not good for them.”
Despite the pressures, he expressed skepticism about the feasibility of Trump’s mass deportation plans. “It’s my personal opinion, but I don’t think he’s going to have the ability to carry out not even 10% of what he’s saying,” he added.
In neighboring Sonora, officials are working to establish a temporary shelter with a capacity of up to 2,000 beds to address the anticipated influx of migrants.
However, funding for the initiative remains uncertain, and concerns about the sustainability of long-term support persist.
Trump also declared a National Emergency at the southern border on Monday, describing an “invasion” by cartels, criminals, and narcotics referring to immigrants.
His proclamation authorized deploying Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserve, to assist the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in achieving “full operational control” of the border.
- Additional 'physical barriers' along border
The measures include constructing additional “physical barriers” throughout the southern border and deploying advanced technology to address perceived threats.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) launched a “No Mass Deportations” campaign in response, stating: “We took legal action against Trump’s administration more than 430 times when he was first in office. We’ve planned for how Trump’s proposed policies will affect our civil rights and civil liberties and are ready to take action.”
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