Between 400 and 500 Mexican migrants return from the United States on foot across the northern border everyday, in junctions such as Tijuana, Nuevo Laredo, Mexicali, Reynosa and Ciudad Acuña. Three weekly flights (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday) also arrive in Mexico City with 135 people deported from the United States.
In January of this year, more than 12,000 migrants were repatriated from the United States to Mexico, 90 percent of them men, said National Coordinator of the National Migration Institute (INM) program “We are Mexicans” Gabriela García Acoltz.
García Acoltz said that there is uncertainty among compatriots in the United States who do not know what will happen and what the process of repatriation is for Donald Trump’s new immigration policy. She added that the majority of Mexicans in this situation have been in the United States for more than five years and they do not know Mexico very well anymore, not to mention that they distrust authorities. Once they arrive in Mexico it takes them between a week to a month to communicate with the authorities, García Acoltz explained.
The INM has two processes for returnees. The first is receiving them, where they are provided with basic services such as food, communication with their families in Mexico and the United States, transfer to bus or shelter centers, medical service, repatriation proof and a copy of their CURP.
On the second interview the INM identifies not only their needs but those of their families. They determine whether their partner or children have returned with them or stayed in United States. If the family has stayed in the United States, the INM works together with the Foreign Relations Secretariat (SRE) for protection and follow-up.
“If the family is going to return or has already returned, we support them promptly with services, such as enrolling in school and processing insurance,” García Acoltz said.
García Acoltz asked those who are in the process of deportation or who live in the United States to write [email protected] or call 5387-2400 with extensions 18612, 18753 and 18075 for more information.
PAMELA CRUZ
