Since President Donald Trump resumed office in January 2025, the United States has deported nearly 39,000 individuals to Mexico, with approximately 33,000 being Mexican nationals. This marks a significant decrease compared to the same period in 2024 under President Joe Biden, when Mexico received about 52,000 deportees between February and April.
President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the situation during her morning press conference, noting that Mexico continues to accept non-Mexican deportees on humanitarian grounds, though only a few thousand have been received in that category. She attributed the overall decline in deportations to reduced border crossings, as migrants from Latin America increasingly abandon attempts to enter the U.S. due to the Trump administration’s intensified border crackdown and new international agreements facilitating deportations directly to migrants’ countries of origin.
The Trump administration’s stringent immigration policies have led to a significant drop in illegal border crossings. In March 2025, U.S. Border Patrol apprehended 7,181 individuals crossing the southwest border between ports of entry, a 14% decrease from February and a 95% decrease from March 2024.
Despite the reduced numbers, the Mexican government is preparing for potential increases in deportations. Efforts include expanding shelter capacity along the U.S. border and deploying more lawyers to consulates to assist deportees. President Sheinbaum has emphasized the importance of maintaining open dialogue with the U.S. government to manage the situation effectively.
The current trends suggest a complex interplay between U.S. immigration enforcement and Mexico’s capacity to manage returning nationals and non-Mexican deportees. While the immediate pressure has lessened, ongoing cooperation and strategic planning remain crucial to address the evolving dynamics of migration and deportation in the region.