Mexico prepares for Trump's deportations: 'We need to build bridges, not walls'

mexico city - Mexico is getting ready for Trump's plan to deport thousands of illegal migrants upon his inauguration, with preparations already underway.

President-elect Trump has announced plans to close the border with Mexico and immediately begin the largest deportation of illegal immigrants in American history. In an interview with Time earlier this month, he stated that he would not hesitate to use the military if necessary. 'We will go as far as the law allows me,' said Trump, emphasizing the influx of immigrants into the country.

The Biden administration estimates 11 million undocumented people in the US, while Trump claims the number is 20 million.

Last month, Trump threatened to increase import tariffs on all goods from Mexico by 25% on his first day in office. This increase would only be reversed if Mexico puts an end to illegal migration and drug trafficking to the US.

In response, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the seizure of the largest fentanyl shipment in Mexico's history, weighing one and a half tons with a street value of $400 million.

She then sent her Minister of Security, Omar Harfuch, to Sinaloa to assess the violent gang war between factions of the Sinaloa cartel. She announced a zero-tolerance policy to address both domestic critics of her security policies and Donald Trump.

There are fears that the northern border areas will bear the brunt of mass deportations of illegal immigrants. During a meeting with the 32 Mexican governors in Acapulco, Sheinbaum warned them of potential consequences.

Trump and Sheinbaum spoke for the first time at the end of November. Trump claimed on Truth Social that Sheinbaum agreed to stop migration through Mexico to the US, effectively closing the southern border.

Sheinbaum denied plans to close Mexico's borders, emphasizing Mexico's comprehensive strategy to address migration while respecting human rights.

Trump pledged to allocate 'hundreds of millions of dollars' this month to build a wall along the 3,000-kilometer border with Mexico, a promise unfulfilled during his first presidency. Sheinbaum responded, 'We need to build bridges, not walls.'

Despite concerns in Mexico, the feasibility of Trump's deportation plan remains uncertain. Various think tanks estimate that deporting all illegal immigrants would cost $481 billion, while the budget of the Customs and Border Protection Office, responsible for deportations, is $30 billion.

Sheinbaum welcomed Mexicans suffering from deportations, calling them 'heroes' and 'heroines,' emphasizing their contribution as essential workers in the US.