### Tijuana Commemorates International Migrants Day with Peaceful March
In Tijuana, a group of around 100 individuals took to the streets to mark International Migrants Day on December 18, calling attention to the pressing issues faced by deported migrants. The march also demanded federal action in response to the forthcoming policies of the incoming U.S. president, Donald Trump. Organized by Movimiento Juventud 2000 in collaboration with Ángeles Sin Fronteras and SOS Migrante, the event emphasized that “migration is not a crime.”
Participants gathered at the Movimiento Juventud 2000 shelter and proceeded to march toward the San Ysidro crossing, chanting slogans like “we’ll pull this ox out of the ditch.” The group peacefully assembled near the border fence, to draw attention to the plight of Mexican migrants working in the United States or seeking asylum due to violence in southern Mexico.
José María García Lara, director of Movimiento Juventud 2000, highlighted the challenges ahead with Trump’s immigration policies, notably the potential increase in deportations and the continuation of the border wall. “It’s better to create bridges,” García Lara remarked, urging Trump to adopt a more compassionate approach to deportation issues affecting thousands of Mexicans.
García Lara also appealed to Mexico’s federal government and its president, Claudia Sheinbaum, to reinstate financial support to civil organizations assisting migrants. With a likely surge in deportations, these organizations could become overwhelmed without sufficient resources.
Finally, García Lara, alongside other leaders like Sergio Tamayo from Ángeles Sin Fronteras and Hugo Castro from SOS Migrante, called for greater awareness from Tijuana residents and all levels of the government to better support the migrant community.
### U.S. Plans to Resume Deportation Flights to Mexico
Recent reports reveal that the U.S. is planning to restart deportation flights to Mexico in an effort to manage the increasing number of migrants arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border. This move aligns with the broader strategy of controlling immigration through more stringent measures. The deportation flights are expected to focus initially on those who could not establish their right to stay in the U.S.
President Trump’s administration had previously implemented similar policies, emphasizing border security and immigration control. The renewed focus on deportations underscores the need for organizations in Mexico to prepare for a potential rise in individuals needing assistance, as highlighted by recent demonstrations in Tijuana.
It remains to be seen how incoming U.S. policy changes will affect the intricate dynamics along the border, but advocacy groups in both countries continue to stress the importance of keeping humanitarian considerations at the forefront of these discussions.