Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum assured the public that her government is ready to handle an anticipated surge of deported Mexican nationals, as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump prepares to implement a large-scale deportation initiative.
Addressing the nation during a Thursday press conference, Sheinbaum emphasized that immigrants should not be treated as “criminals” and pledged to support Mexican citizens who may be returned home. Her remarks come as Trump, set to begin his second term in January, has vowed to launch what he describes as the “largest deportation program in American history.”
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“In the event of deportations, we will receive Mexicans, and we have a plan for that,” Sheinbaum said. “However, we will work beforehand to show that our nationals who are on the other side of the border do not have to be deported, as they actually benefit the U.S. economy.”
Sheinbaum revealed plans to meet with her cabinet to prepare for discussions with Trump’s transition team. The talks are expected to address the implications of Trump’s immigration policies, which include resuming construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall, reviving the “Remain in Mexico” program, and ending birthright citizenship for children born to undocumented parents in the U.S. Trump also intends to hire more Border Patrol agents and declare a national emergency to deploy military resources for enforcement.
Sheinbaum, a member of Mexico’s leftist Morena Party and close ally of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, has signaled her willingness to advocate for Mexicans living in the U.S., stressing their economic contributions and the potential harm of mass deportations.
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The stakes are high for Mexico, as millions of Mexican nationals living in the U.S.—both legally and illegally—play a significant role in the country’s economy. Pew Research estimates that around 17 million undocumented immigrants reside in the U.S., including approximately 4 million Mexican nationals. Remittances from Mexicans living and working in the U.S. totaled more than $60 billion in 2023, providing critical financial support for families back home.
Sheinbaum’s government is tasked with balancing domestic preparations for returning citizens with efforts to prevent mass deportations, arguing that many Mexican nationals contribute significantly to the U.S. economy.
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