• en
ON NOW

Mexico Prepares Giant Tent Shelters In Preparation For Mass Deportees From The US 

Mexico is constructing large tent shelters in preparation for a potential influx of deportees under President Trump’s immigration policies.

Workers begin the installation of a temporary shelter for possible deportees from the United States, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Christian Chavez)

In response to US President Donald Trump’s promised mass deportations, Mexican authorities have initiated the construction of large tent shelters in Ciudad Juarez to accommodate thousands of deported Mexicans.

 This proactive measure is part of a broader government strategy to manage the potential humanitarian and logistical challenges posed by the deportation of millions of undocumented individuals. 

Municipal official Enrique Licon, overseeing the operations in Ciudad Juarez, described the effort as “unprecedented.” Workers are racing against time to set up the shelters, located just across the Rio Grande from El Paso, Texas. According to Licon, the temporary shelters will be operational in a matter of days, equipped to provide food, temporary housing, medical care, and assistance with identity documentation. 

The initiative, named “Mexico Embraces You,” extends beyond Ciudad Juarez, with plans to establish shelters and reception centers in nine cities across northern Mexico. Additionally, the government aims to deploy a fleet of buses to transport deportees back to their hometowns. 

Trump’s deportation plan, touted as the largest in US history, could remove millions of undocumented immigrants. However, experts predict that such an operation would take years to execute and come with significant financial implications. According to an analysis by El Colegio de la Frontera Norte (COLEF), nearly 5 million undocumented Mexicans currently reside in the United States. Many of them hail from central and southern regions of Mexico, such as Michoacán, Guerrero, and Chiapas, where violence and poverty have driven families to flee their homes. 

Despite the Mexican government’s assurances of readiness, immigration advocates and officials have raised concerns about the country’s capacity to handle the scale of deportations. The fear is that Mexican border cities could quickly become overwhelmed, particularly with additional US policy changes such as the reinstatement of Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP). 

The Trump administration recently ended CBP One, a program allowing migrants in Mexico to schedule legal entry into the United States. The reinstatement of MPP now forces non-Mexican asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while their US cases are processed. These measures could lead to a bottleneck at the border, further straining Mexican resources. 

Jose Luis Perez, the former director of migration issues for Tijuana, publicly voiced concerns over Mexico’s preparedness. “With the cancellation of CBP One and deportations, the government isn’t coordinated to receive them,” he warned. His remarks were met with backlash, and he was dismissed shortly afterward, a move he believes was retaliation. 

Meanwhile, Mexico’s Interior Minister Rosa Icela Rodriguez reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting deported Mexicans, stating, “Mexico will do everything necessary to care for its compatriots and will allocate whatever is necessary to receive those who are repatriated.” 

Despite these reassurances, Mexico faces significant economic hurdles. With sluggish economic growth forecasted for the year, the sudden influx of deportees could destabilise border cities and rural communities. Many towns rely heavily on remittances sent by undocumented workers in the United States, and their loss could lead to “serious economic disruptions,” warned Wayne Cornelius, an expert at the University of California, San Diego. 

In Ciudad Juarez, preparations continue against this uncertain backdrop. Near a site where Pope Francis once prayed for migrants, soldiers are working to build industrial kitchens to feed deportees. The looming question remains: can Mexico absorb the potentially immense number of returnees while maintaining stability? 

As tensions rise and policies shift, the situation underscores the deep human and logistical complexities of mass deportation efforts, impacting lives on both sides of the border.

Melissa Enoch

Follow us on:

ON NOW