Key Takeaways
• Mexico received nearly 39,000 deportees from the U.S. since Trump began his second term in January 2025.
• 33,311 deportees were Mexican nationals; 5,446 were foreign nationals admitted mainly for humanitarian reasons.
• Trump’s administration deported fewer people via Mexico than Biden did in early 2024, due to new direct agreements.
Mexico 🇲🇽 has received nearly 39,000 deportees from the United States 🇺🇸 since President Donald Trump began his second term in January 2025. This figure comes straight from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who spoke about the deportation numbers on April 29, 2025. Of all those deported, 33,311 are Mexican nationals, while 5,446 are foreign nationals from other countries. These numbers offer a new look at what border policies and deportations look like under President Trump’s current administration.
Who Are the Deportees Entering Mexico 🇲🇽?
Most of the deportees Mexico 🇲🇽 received were its own citizens. These 33,311 Mexican nationals had either been stopped at the border or sent back after staying in the United States 🇺🇸 without permission. They arrived in Mexico 🇲🇽 mainly by air, flown in directly from the United States.
But the story does not stop there. President Sheinbaum explained that her country also accepted nearly 5,500 foreigners who were not Mexican nationals. Why did Mexico 🇲🇽 agree to let in people from other countries? Sheinbaum’s answer was simple: humanitarian reasons. Many of these people had crossed the northern border by land, landing in Mexico 🇲🇽 after being detained by American officials.
However, most of these foreign nationals did not choose to stay in Mexico 🇲🇽. Instead, as Sheinbaum pointed out, many voluntarily went back to their own home countries soon after arriving. This shows that while Mexico 🇲🇽 is willing to provide shelter for a short time, most deported foreigners do not wish to remain there.
Agreements Between the United States 🇺🇸 and Other Countries
Not all foreign nationals who cross into the United States 🇺🇸 end up passing through Mexico 🇲🇽 when deported. President Sheinbaum explained that the United States 🇺🇸 government now has direct agreements with “practically all of those countries” whose citizens had once stayed in the United States 🇺🇸 without permission. Thanks to these agreements, American authorities can send most foreign nationals straight back to their countries of citizenship by flight. As a result, fewer foreign nationals actually enter Mexico 🇲🇽 after being deported by the United States 🇺🇸.
Mexico 🇲🇽 and Humanitarian Choices
Why does Mexico 🇲🇽 sometimes accept foreign deportees when the United States 🇺🇸 could send them elsewhere? The answer is rooted in humanitarian values. Mexico 🇲🇽 recognizes that some people have no safe place to return. By opening its border for humanitarian reasons, Mexico 🇲🇽 tries to make migration safer and less painful for the most vulnerable. This approach helps reduce harm for families stuck at the border, especially those unable to return directly to their countries of origin.
Comparing Deportation Numbers: Trump vs. Biden
One of the most interesting points President Sheinbaum made is that Mexico 🇲🇽 actually accepted fewer deportees from the United States 🇺🇸 during the first part of President Trump’s second term—January to April 2025—than it did in the same period under former President Biden in 2024.
In February, March, and April 2024, during the Biden presidency, Mexico 🇲🇽 took in about 52,000 deportees from the United States 🇺🇸. In comparison, the number in those months during Trump’s term has dropped to about 39,000. Despite President Trump’s tough talk about immigration, these numbers show a decline, at least in this period.
So, what’s behind this change? Partly, it’s because the United States 🇺🇸 is no longer sending as many non-Mexican deportees to Mexico 🇲🇽. As mentioned, deals between the U.S. and other countries mean deportees are flown straight to their home countries. With fewer people routed through Mexico 🇲🇽, the overall number of deportees it accepts from the U.S. has gone down.
President Trump’s Promises and the Bigger Picture
President Trump built his second-term campaign around tough promises on immigration. He pledged “the largest deportation operation in the history of our country.” Since taking office, his administration has reported some impressive numbers:
- 139,000 total deportations have taken place since January 2025.
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 32,809 people living in the U.S. without legal permission in the first 50 days of Trump’s new term.
- Nearly 75% of those arrested were accused of, or convicted of, criminal offenses.
These arrests and deportations have had an immediate effect on the border. Crossings have dropped, meaning fewer migrants are trying to enter the United States 🇺🇸. Reports say many people have been deterred by President Trump’s promises of stricter border action and plans for mass deportations.
Not as Many Deportations as Expected
Even with the increase in enforcement, Trump’s numbers have not hit some of the expectations his campaign set. According to federal data, the Trump administration deported fewer people in February 2025 than President Biden’s team did in February 2024.
This might surprise some, especially given that many in President Trump’s base expected a sharp rise in deportations. The reasons behind these lower totals can be complicated. Some possible explanations are:
- The U.S. government can now deport many foreign nationals straight back to their own countries, not through Mexico 🇲🇽, thanks to new agreements.
- Strong border enforcement might be stopping more people from even trying to cross, leading to fewer arrests and deportations overall.
- Logistical problems, legal limits, and available space on flights can slow the rate of deportations.
Mexico 🇲🇽’s Preparation for More Deportees
At the start of 2025, Mexico 🇲🇽 prepared for what it thought might be a big wave of deportees under President Trump. The government built large camps in Ciudad Juárez, just south of the U.S. border. These camps can house thousands of people. Mexico 🇲🇽 also set up shelters and welcome centers in nine different cities south of the border in case even more people needed help.
This forward planning shows that Mexico 🇲🇽 understands the impact U.S. policy changes can have on its society. Sudden increases in arrivals can stretch local resources. By building camps and preparing shelters, the government tried to avoid problems of overcrowding and help people adjust as easily as possible.
Impacts on People and Communities
The effect of these deportations is big, both for those sent back and for the places they arrive. For Mexican nationals, being deported often means returning to a country where they may not have family, jobs, or resources. Many left years ago and now face starting over. Cities near the border, especially, can feel the strain if large numbers arrive all at once.
For the foreign nationals coming through Mexico 🇲🇽, the uncertainty is even greater. Most do not plan to stay long. They may fear returning home but may also fear living without papers in Mexico 🇲🇽. That many quickly leave shows how difficult the choice can be.
As for policy, these trends are important because they show how U.S. actions shape migration not only at home but across borders. Mexico 🇲🇽 must act quickly to respond when new waves of deportees arrive, and this may shape future agreements or humanitarian programs.
Debates and Concerns in the United States 🇺🇸
Deportation is a hot topic in the United States 🇺🇸. Many Latinos living in the U.S.—including those with legal status—say they are worried about deportations under President Trump. According to a recent report, concern about deportations is higher among Latinos than among other American adults. This worry affects families, workplaces, and whole communities.
VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals that these stories are not only numbers but personal stories affecting lives on both sides of the border. The need for clear policies, safety for migrants, and respect for legal process are key topics in both countries.
How the Process Works and What Lies Ahead
For anyone trying to understand how deportations are handled, both the United States 🇺🇸 and Mexico 🇲🇽 have detailed procedures and official rules. The United States 🇺🇸 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is in charge of arresting and removing people from the country if they do not have permission to stay. Often, ICE uses removal flights to send people back. For more about how removal works, you can check the ICE Removal page.
Mexico 🇲🇽, for its part, has to decide when to accept its own nationals and when it is willing to let in people from other countries. The humanitarian part can change based on emergencies, agreements, and the number of people arriving. Good communication between the two governments can make the process faster and safer for all involved.
What the Numbers Really Mean
It can be easy to get lost in the statistics, but each figure reflects real people and complex decisions. For example:
- Deporting 39,000 people between January and April 2025 means new students in schools, jobseekers in towns, and families reuniting after years apart.
- The drop from 52,000 deportees during Biden’s administration to 39,000 during Trump’s shows that agreements with other countries work to stop many non-Mexican nationals from returning via Mexico 🇲🇽.
Long-term Effects and Looking Forward
The ongoing story of deportees, especially from the United States 🇺🇸 to Mexico 🇲🇽, is likely to continue shaping both nations for years. Cities in northern Mexico 🇲🇽 will have to keep planning for unexpected arrivals. Families on both sides of the border will keep facing changes as policies shift. And the broader relationship between the United States 🇺🇸 and Mexico 🇲🇽 will always be affected by the way both nations handle these complicated issues.
For policymakers, the challenge remains to balance border security, legal process, and humanitarian values. As more agreements are reached and as the movement of people continues, both the United States 🇺🇸 and Mexico 🇲🇽 will need to keep updating how they handle these cross-border issues.
Summary
Since President Donald Trump began his second term, Mexico 🇲🇽 has taken in nearly 39,000 deportees from the United States 🇺🇸, including many Mexican citizens and some foreign nationals. Fewer people have been deported through Mexico 🇲🇽 compared to the same period under the last administration, in large part because of new direct deportation agreements between the United States 🇺🇸 and other countries.
President Trump’s promise of tough immigration action has led to a rise in enforcement, but so far, the numbers of deportees sent to Mexico 🇲🇽 remain lower than expected. Mexico 🇲🇽 has responded with planning, building facilities to help arriving deportees and trying to make their transition safer and smoother.
Both governments will need to keep working on policies that meet the needs of their people. At the same time, regular updates to official rules and clear channels for humanitarian assistance remain important for the safety and well-being of deportees and the communities they return to. For more resources, readers can always look to reliable sites like VisaVerge.com for updates and guidance.
Learn Today
Deportee → A person who is removed from a country, in this case from the U.S. to Mexico or another state.
Removal Flight → A government-arranged flight used by U.S. authorities to send deportees back to their countries of origin.
Humanitarian Reasons → Criteria used by a government to justify accepting migrants who cannot safely return to their home countries.
Bilateral Agreements → Official arrangements between two countries, here enabling direct deportation to countries of origin, bypassing Mexico.
ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) → U.S. government agency responsible for enforcing laws on immigration and deporting individuals living unlawfully.
This Article in a Nutshell
Deportation under President Trump’s second term shows Mexico received fewer U.S. deportees than previously. Most were Mexican citizens, but humanitarian cases were accepted too. New U.S. agreements now return more foreigners directly home, bypassing Mexico. Preparations on both sides continue, emphasizing humanitarian needs and evolving migration and deportation policies.
— By VisaVerge.com
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