Advocates Urge Mexico to Enhance Support for Citizens Facing Deportation from the U.S.

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EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – Over 100 advocacy groups across the United States are calling on Mexico to enhance its efforts in safeguarding its citizens residing north of the Rio Grande. This appeal coincides with the Trump administration’s intensification of immigration raids and detentions in key U.S. cities where Mexican immigrants significantly contribute to the local economy.

Among the organizations making this plea are Alianza Americas from Chicago, the Florida Immigrant Coalition, and Witness at the Border. On Monday, these groups collectively addressed a letter to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, urging the allocation of increased funding to consulates and advocating for a more proactive stance in defending Mexican nationals in the U.S.

The letter emphasized, “The Mexican government has a duty to protect the rights and dignity of its citizens living abroad, and upon their return, to ensure their reintegration into society, along with the inclusion of their families.” It further stated that the repatriation process extends beyond simply sending citizens back to Mexico. “Concrete actions, greater transparency, and sufficient budgeting are essential to demonstrate that Mexicans abroad are indeed a priority for this administration,” the letter added.

One of the incidents underscoring this call for action involved a suburban Chicago resident who reported being pepper-sprayed by federal agents while he and his toddler were on their way to a store. Such occurrences have fueled the demand for the Mexican government to take a more decisive and active role in the protection of its nationals facing challenges in the U.S.

The activists say immigrants of Mexican origin are facing an unprecedented crisis and a hostile environment in the United States. They say “arbitrary” detentions and “illegal” apprehensions are separating families and destroying the stability of communities.

Sheinbaum has publicly criticized the use of force in immigrant apprehensions in the U.S. and earlier pledged more travel resources so Mexican consulate officials can get to communities where immigration raids are taking place.

But according to Mexican news outlets, the Mexican government in 2025 reduced its consular protection services budget by 9.8 percent in 2025, to $28.5 million.

“Community organizations in both countries work in parallel with consulates, on the front lines accompanying migrant families and connecting them with the legal and financial resources to safeguard their well-being,” the American activists’ letter says. “However, we have witnessed firsthand that programs such as the Legal Assistance Program for Mexicans through External Legal Advisors (PALE) must be reinforced to ensure families receive support beyond an initial evaluation.”

The groups praised Mexican consuls’ willingness to respond to immigrants facing immediate challenges, they say resources often vary according to location.

“It is especially concerning that, at a time when Mexican nationals need this support the most, budget cuts are being considered that would put these services at risk,” the letter states. “We are concerned about the lack of transparency and systematic mechanisms to track what happens to deported individuals once they return to Mexico. The need for support and protection of a migrant does not end with deportation. There must be a mechanism to share information and help families locate their loved ones once they are back in Mexican territory.”