Mexico Is Strengthening the Protection of its Citizens in the US Ahead of a Trump Presidency
With fears growing over deportations and harassment under Donald Trump's incoming administration, Mexico has issued a statement to its citizens living in the U.S. pledging embassy and consular assistance. "We are with you," said Foreign Secretary Claudia Ruiz Massieu, speaking in a video posted to her Twitter account on Wednesday. "The government of President Enrique Pea Nieto and all Mexicans are with you. We are going to be closer than ever.", Fifty consulates have been issued with orders to expand their deportation defense operations, and a 24-hour hotline has been launched through which Mexicans can now report disturbances including harassment and deportation raids, reports the Los Angeles Times. Massieu also urged Mexicans living in the U.S. to contact consulates to establish whether they might be potential targets for deportation after U.S. President-elect Trump takes office. The Times also reports that consulates are speeding up access to documentation in order to make it easier for repatriated immigrants to gain employment in their home country. Mexico's economy is heavily reliant on the billions of U.S. dollars sent back each year by immigrants, and the country already struggles to integrate repatriated immigrants. Trump has said that he would deport up to 3 million people when he becomes President.