Mexico’s Plan to Receive Thousands of Deported Citizens from the U.S.
Mexico’s plan to receive thousands of its citizens being deported from the United States is ambitious and details of the initiative, called “Mexico Embraces You”, were recently revealed. The plan involves building nine reception centers along the border with mobile kitchens operated by the armed forces. Mexican officials say that nearly every branch of government and 16 state governments will participate in one way or another to provide various services to the returnees, including busing, logistics, medical attention, enrolling in social welfare programs, and providing cash cards worth $100 each.
The plan also includes negotiations with Mexican companies to link the deported individuals to jobs. President Claudia Sheinbaum has called the expected large-scale deportations a “unilateral move” and does not agree with them. However, with an estimated four million Mexicans living in the U.S. illegally, Mexico is obligated to prepare for their return.
Guatemala, a neighbor of Mexico with a large number of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S., has also rolled out a plan to absorb its deported citizens. Mexican officials say that they are focusing on receiving only Mexicans deported from the U.S., although they may temporarily accept foreign deportees as well.
Experts and activists have expressed concerns about the effectiveness of Mexico’s plan, noting that it has not been tested before and may not address the long-term trauma that deportations and family separations can cause. Shelter operators in Mexico have also raised concerns about their capacity to accommodate a large influx of returnees.
The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, recently mentioned migration in connection with foreign aid, causing concerns that funding for humanitarian programs may be affected. Mexico has not been briefed by the U.S. government on its deportation plans, leading to concerns that the country is unprepared to face the potential crisis.
With the possibility of a large influx of deported citizens, Mexico has announced plans to create new shelters and triple its capacity to house migrants and deportees in the capital, Mexico City.