Mexico has recently announced its willingness to receive non-Mexican migrants deported by the United States, a shift from their initial stance of pushing for these individuals to be returned directly to their countries of origin. This decision comes amidst President-elect Donald Trump's promise to initiate massive deportations.
President Claudia Sheinbaum stated during a press briefing that Mexico is prepared to collaborate with the US through various mechanisms in cases where migrants are not returned to their home countries. While specific details were not provided, Mexico may consider limiting acceptance to certain nationalities or requesting compensation from the US to facilitate the movement of deportees.
Sheinbaum emphasized that Mexico is not in favor of these deportations but assured that if they were to occur, Mexico would receive the deportees appropriately and has a plan in place for their reception. The potential influx of non-Mexican migrants could pose challenges, particularly in northern border cities already grappling with high levels of organized crime.
In the past, Mexico has accepted non-Mexican migrants, particularly from countries like Cuba and Venezuela, which often reject deportation flights from the US but may be more receptive to repatriation through Mexico. However, Mexico temporarily halted deportations in December 2023 due to financial constraints and saw a significant reduction in deportations in 2024 compared to previous years.
As discussions around immigration intensify, Mexico aims to convene a meeting of the region's foreign ministers this month to address the evolving challenges and potential solutions in managing migration flows.
