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This isn’t just any routine move; it’s a significant response to the potential impact of Trump’s promise to implement the largest mass deportation in U.S. history.
The Tijuana City Council gave the green light to this emergency declaration, showing a unified front and a clear understanding of what’s at stake.
The city, bustling with life and activity just a stone’s throw away from San Diego, has always been a hub for migration. Yet, the scale of potential incoming deportees is prompting local leaders to act decisively and swiftly.
With this declaration, Tijuana can now allocate essential funds to ensure adequate housing, security, and legal services are in place for potentially thousands of deportees who might arrive all at once.
Mayor Ismael Burgueno is at the forefront, emphasizing the city’s mission to treat all returning deportees with the dignity and respect they deserve. “We want to ensure that those who return to Mexico feel protected and supported as they reintegrate into society,” he stated.
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This sentiment reflects a compassionate approach, aiming to avoid the chaotic scenes that unfolded during past migration surges in 2018, and again in 2021 and 2022.
To prevent a repeat of these challenging situations, Tijuana is gearing up to open a large shelter capable of accommodating up to 10,000 people, with plans to expand up to 30,000 if necessary. The city is also exploring options to lease industrial buildings in the southern part of the city for temporary shelter use, ensuring that public spaces remain accessible to local residents.
This isn’t just a city-level effort; it’s a collaborative push involving Tijuana, the state of Baja California, and the Mexican federal government. Baja California’s Governor, Marina del Pilar Avila, has announced the establishment of new shelters in both Tijuana and Mexicali. Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has reassured the public that federal plans to manage deportations are “ready.”
Despite these preparations, there’s a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the specifics of Trump’s deportation plan—how many people will be affected and the timeline for their return remain unclear. However, what is certain is that Tijuana, being a key border city, will be at the heart of this significant policy shift.
For Mexico, the prospect of thousands of citizens returning—many of whom have spent considerable time in the U.S.—poses both logistical and humanitarian challenges. To ease these transitions, Mexico’s federal government is ramping up support measures, including increasing consular staff and launching a 24-hour call center. A new smartphone app is also in the works to help deportees reconnect with their families and access necessary resources.
In related developments, there’s a buzz around Republican lawmakers advocating for the reinstatement of the “Remain in Mexico” policy. Trump’s bold immigration plan, which includes military deployment and mass deportations to secure the border, is gaining attention.
Critics, however, point to the current administration’s different approach, with President Biden shielding nearly a million migrants from deportation, including those with gang affiliations.
Meanwhile, Mexico is taking steps to manage the situation, with a focus on dispersing migrant caravans to avoid potential tariffs, a move that aligns with Trump’s policy preferences.
The Mexican government, under President Sheinbaum, has shifted its stance, now showing readiness to receive Mexican nationals deported by Trump.
As the situation unfolds, Tijuana continues to prepare for what could be a defining moment in its history as a border city. The coordinated efforts at the local, state, and federal levels aim to ensure that the city is ready to face the challenges and opportunities that come with the potential mass deportations.
The emphasis remains on maintaining order, upholding human dignity, and providing the necessary support for those who will be returning to Mexican soil.
