In response to President Donald Trump’s threat of mass deportations, the Mexican military swiftly began setting up emergency shelters near the U.S.-Mexico border on Thursday.
The Mexican government revealed plans to open nine shelters for Mexican citizens and three additional shelters for foreign nationals who are deported.
The initiative, known as “Mexico Embraces You,” aims to provide temporary assistance to those affected by the upcoming deportations.
In Matamoros, a city in Tamaulipas state across from Brownsville, Texas, Navy personnel erected large olive-green tents in a sports field, with one shelter expected to accommodate up to 3,000 people, according to local authorities.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that the country would provide humanitarian aid to deported migrants before arranging for their repatriation.
Trump, who returned to office earlier this week, declared a national emergency at the southern border and promised to deport “millions and millions” of migrants.
His administration has also reinstated the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which forces individuals seeking asylum in the U.S. to wait in Mexico until their claims are processed.
The U.S. government has also suspended an asylum program for those fleeing authoritarian regimes in Latin America, leaving thousands stranded on the Mexican side of the border.
Additionally, the U.S. has increased military presence at the border with Trump’s recent order of 1,500 additional troops.
Mexico is also preparing a new mobile app that will allow migrants to send alerts if they face imminent detention in the U.S, particularly concerning the large number of undocumented Mexican nationals.
