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In anticipation of mass deportations from the U.S., Mexico is setting up shelters to assist deported Mexican nationals at the border.

Shelters Rise to Support Returning Nationals

On January 21, construction began on large tent shelters in Juárez, just across the Rio Grande from El Paso. By January 23, several shelters were nearly complete. Similar facilities are being built in eight other Mexican cities along the U.S. border.

The initiative, called “Mexico Embraces You,” was introduced by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo on January 20. The program aims to provide temporary housing, food, medical care, and other essential services for Mexican nationals deported under U.S. policies. The shelters will also include utilities such as potable water, waste management, and electricity. To help deportees return home, 189 buses will be available for transportation.

Enrique Serrano, head of Chihuahua’s State Population Council, stated that these shelters are exclusively for Mexican citizens. Non-Mexican migrants will be assisted by the National Institute of Migration.

Renewed “Remain in Mexico” Policy and Its Implications

The Trump administration recently reactivated the Migration Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as “Remain in Mexico.” This policy requires non-Mexican asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while their U.S. cases proceed. Mexico must approve the policy before asylum seekers can be sent back.

Although the newly built shelters will not serve non-Mexican migrants, three federally run shelters in Juárez continue to provide humanitarian aid. President Sheinbaum Pardo emphasized Mexico’s commitment to supporting migrants during difficult circumstances, especially given the severe winter temperatures in northern border regions like Chihuahua.

Border Crossings Decline Amid New Measures

The El Paso Sector has seen a 63% drop in Border Patrol encounters, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This decline is partly due to Mexico’s strict border enforcement near Guatemala, which limits migrant movement northward.

Mexico has also pledged to assist non-Mexican migrants in returning to their home countries. The combination of these shelters and broader policy adjustments highlights Mexico’s proactive approach to managing the impact of shifting U.S. immigration policies. By balancing humanitarian assistance with logistical preparation, Mexico aims to provide support for returning nationals while addressing the broader challenges at the border.