Since Donald Trump took office, Mexico has accepted approximately 39,000 migrants who were deported from the United States, according to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. In a press conference held on April 30, 2025, Sheinbaum revealed that out of the total, around 33,000 are Mexican nationals.
Sheinbaum explained that Mexico decided to accept some non-Mexican migrants for "humanitarian reasons," but noted that the number of these individuals has been very limited, with only a few thousand sent back to Mexico since Trump assumed the presidency in late January 2025. She stated, "The number of people coming from other countries is being reviewed because the United States government has agreements with almost all nearby countries."
Interestingly, the number of migrants accepted by Mexico has decreased significantly compared to the same period last year when Joe Biden was still in office. Data from Mexican authorities indicate that during February, March, and April of the previous year, Mexico accepted approximately 52,000 migrants who were deported from the United States. This decline comes despite Trump’s previous promises of a mass deportation campaign, which has led to fewer migrants attempting to cross the U.S. border.
Since Trump initiated his campaign focused on border control, many migrants across Latin America have abandoned their hopes of entering the United States, opting instead to return to their home countries. This shift in migration patterns raises questions about the effectiveness of the Trump administration’s policies and their impact on regional migration.
In related news, Colombian President Gustavo Petro recently made headlines with a humorous remark about his visa status in the U.S. He claimed that American officials had canceled his visa, joking that he had seen Donald Duck multiple times instead of visiting the United States. This comment came during a council meeting to discuss the outbreak of yellow fever, reflecting the ongoing tensions between Colombia and the U.S. regarding the treatment of Colombian migrants.
Petro had previously spent several days in discussions with the U.S. administration concerning the acceptance of Colombian migrants. His remarks about visa cancellations have not been confirmed by the U.S. State Department, which has remained tight-lipped on the issue. However, a spokesperson from the U.S. embassy in Bogotá stated that no official notice of visa cancellation had been issued.
In January, the U.S. threatened to escalate its stance against Colombia when it halted new visa applications for Colombian citizens, citing the Colombian government's refusal to accept repatriation flights for its citizens. Petro criticized the use of U.S. military aircraft for deporting Colombians, arguing that they were being treated as criminals without due process.
He emphasized the need for humane treatment of migrants, stating, "A migrant is not a criminal, and they should be treated with the dignity they deserve as human beings. We will receive our citizens on civilian flights, without treating them as criminals. Colombia must be respected." This statement underscores the delicate balance that leaders in Latin America must strike in response to U.S. immigration policies.
Despite the challenges, the Trump administration has accelerated its deportation program, which initially focused on removing criminal foreigners living in the U.S. illegally. However, recent deportation flights have reportedly included many individuals who do not have criminal records, raising concerns about the criteria used for deportations.
According to a Pew Research analysis, approximately 200,000 Colombian citizens were living in the U.S. without legal status as of 2022. This highlights the complex immigration landscape that both the U.S. and Colombia are navigating, particularly in light of the ongoing changes in U.S. policy under Trump.
As the situation continues to evolve, many are left wondering how these policies will affect the future of migration between the U.S. and Latin America. The significant decrease in migrants accepted by Mexico, along with the ongoing tensions between Colombia and the U.S., suggests that the dialogue surrounding immigration is far from settled.
In summary, the number of migrants accepted by Mexico has sharply declined under Trump's administration, with only about 39,000 migrants accepted since he took office. This figure is notably lower than the previous year during Biden's presidency, highlighting the changing dynamics of migration in the region. With ongoing discussions about the treatment of migrants and the implications of U.S. policies on neighboring countries, the story is likely to develop further in the coming months.
