Mexico City, MX (The Clarity Times) – In a surprising shift, Mexico has agreed to accept non-Mexican migrants deported by the United States. This change follows earlier statements from President Claudia Sheinbaum, who had insisted on sending deportees directly to their home countries. However, during a recent briefing, Sheinbaum said Mexico could work with the U.S. if direct deportations aren’t possible, though details are unclear. This could include accepting only certain nationalities or negotiating compensation from the U.S. for transfers.

The move comes as President-elect Donald Trump plans massive deportations, which critics argue will create major logistical challenges. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, there were approximately 2.1 million migrant encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border in fiscal year 2024, a 14% decrease from the previous year.

Northern Mexico’s border cities, already facing organized crime, could see migrants become targets for kidnapping and extortion. In 2023, Mexico registered 463 cases of kidnapping, down from 506 the previous year. However, experts note that many cases go unreported, and the actual numbers may be higher.

Sheinbaum had previously called for direct deportations to migrants’ countries of origin, but Mexico is now willing to accept them with conditions. Historically, Mexico has accepted deportees from countries like Cuba and Venezuela, which refuse U.S. deportation flights.

Financial constraints have also impacted Mexico’s deportation policies. In December 2023, Mexico paused deportations due to a budget shortfall, with only 91,000 deportations in 2024, down from 142,000 the previous year.

Mexico plans to host a meeting with regional foreign ministers to discuss migration. This signals a shift toward greater international cooperation on immigration and deportation issues, highlighting the need for strategic planning to manage the growing challenges of migration in the region.