Key Takeaways
• Trump’s EO 14159 bans asylum requests at US-Mexico border starting January 21, 2025.
• Border crossings dropped 93% in May 2025; military deployed with 10,000 troops for enforcement.
• No mass deportations of Mexican nationals occurred; about 4,094 deported in first week after inauguration.
As of July 2025, Mexico 🇲🇽 has not seen the mass deportations from the United States 🇺🇸 that many expected after Donald Trump returned to the presidency. Instead, the Trump administration has taken a series of tough actions at the border, changing how migration works between the two countries. These changes have led to a sharp drop in border crossings and left thousands of migrants stranded in Mexico, but the large-scale removals of Mexican nationals that were widely feared have not happened.
Trump’s Executive Orders: What Changed at the Border?
On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed several executive orders (EOs) that quickly changed US immigration policy. The most important of these, EO 14159, took effect the next day and banned people from asking for asylum at the US-Mexico border. This means that anyone crossing the border without papers can no longer use US laws that protect people fleeing danger, including children who arrive alone.
Another executive order, EO 14165, suspended the CBP One app. This app was the main way for asylum seekers to make appointments at official border crossings. With the app shut down, about 30,000 scheduled appointments were canceled, leaving thousands of people stuck in Mexico with no way to legally ask for protection in the United States.
The Trump administration also brought back the “Remain in Mexico” program, officially called the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP). This policy forces non-Mexican asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their US immigration cases are decided. However, a federal court blocked the program in April 2025, so its future is uncertain.
Border Militarization and New Enforcement Tactics
President Trump declared a national emergency (Proclamation 10886) and signed EO 14167, which gave the US military a direct role in border enforcement. Over 10,000 troops have been sent to the border, and new “National Defense Areas” have been set up. In these areas, the military can detain migrants for trespassing until US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers arrive.
This is a major change in how the border is managed. The military has never played such a big part in immigration enforcement before. The goal, according to the Trump administration, is to stop illegal crossings and quickly remove people who enter without permission.
Sharp Decline in Border Crossings
The results of these new policies have been dramatic:
- In May 2025, the US Border Patrol released zero people who crossed illegally into the US interior. In May 2024, that number was over 62,000.
- Border encounters dropped to 8,725 in May 2025, a 93% decrease from the same month in 2024.
- In March 2025, there were only 7,181 apprehensions at the southwest border, a 95% drop from March 2024.
- The daily average of border encounters in May 2025 was 952, the second lowest ever recorded.
These numbers show that far fewer people are trying to cross the border, likely because they know they will not be allowed to stay or even ask for asylum.
Deportations: What’s Really Happening?
Despite President Trump’s campaign promises and tough talk, mass deportations of Mexican nationals from the United States have not occurred. In the first week after Trump took office, Mexico received 4,094 deported migrants, most of whom were Mexican citizens. This number is similar to what has happened in past years and does not show a new wave of mass removals.
Instead, the US has started sending some non-Mexican citizens—especially Venezuelans—into Mexico. These are people who have been quickly deported under the new executive orders. Mexico has agreed to take them in and often helps them travel back to their home countries, especially when the US does not have diplomatic ties with those countries, like Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba.
Large-scale deportations face many challenges:
- Legal barriers: US law and court rulings limit how quickly and broadly people can be removed.
- Logistical hurdles: Finding, detaining, and transporting millions of people is extremely difficult.
- Diplomatic concerns: The US must work with Mexico and other countries to accept deported individuals.
Most deportations now focus on people who have recently crossed the border or those with criminal records. The estimated 4.1 million undocumented Mexican immigrants who have lived in the US for years have not been targeted for mass removal.
Project 2025 and Legal Status Revocations
Some policy plans, like Project 2025, call for canceling protections for certain groups, including people with DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), T visas (for trafficking victims), and U visas (for crime victims). These changes would make it easier to deport more people. However, as of July 2025, these ideas have not been fully put into action and face legal challenges in court.
How Are Different Groups Responding?
US Government
President Trump and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem have pointed to the sharp drop in border crossings as proof that their tough approach is working. They highlight the use of military forces and strict new rules as key reasons for the decline.
Mexican Government
President Claudia Sheinbaum has said that Mexico will accept deported asylum seekers “in a humanitarian manner.” The Mexican government is working closely with US officials to manage the border and has increased its own enforcement efforts at both the northern and southern borders.
Humanitarian and Legal Groups
Organizations like the International Rescue Committee and WOLA (Washington Office on Latin America) have strongly criticized the suspension of asylum rights and the humanitarian impact on migrants stuck in Mexico. They warn that these people are now more likely to face abuse, kidnapping, and extortion, since they have no legal way to enter the United States.
What Does This Mean for Migrants?
Asylum seekers now face a much tougher situation:
- They cannot ask for asylum at the border, even at official entry points.
- Many are immediately removed or forced to wait in Mexico under the “Remain in Mexico” program (though this is currently blocked in court).
- The CBP One app is no longer available, so there is no way to schedule appointments for legal entry.
Deportation procedures have also changed:
- The US has expanded “expedited removal,” which allows for deporting people without a court hearing if they have been in the country for less than two years.
- The Homeland Security Task Force now oversees deportations across the country.
- Military personnel can detain migrants in special border zones until CBP processes them for removal.
For more information on current border policies and statistics, readers can visit the official CBP Stats and Summaries page.
Legal and Humanitarian Challenges
Legal experts point out that many of these new policies are being challenged in court. The suspension of asylum and the return of the “Remain in Mexico” program are both being reviewed by federal judges. The outcome of these cases could change the rules again in the coming months.
Humanitarian groups warn that the situation in northern Mexico is becoming a crisis. Thousands of migrants are stranded with no way to enter the United States legally. Many face danger from criminal groups and have little access to shelter, food, or medical care.
Why Haven’t Mass Deportations Happened?
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the main reason mass deportations have not taken place is that the US economy still relies on millions of undocumented workers, many of whom have lived in the country for years. Removing them would be extremely difficult, expensive, and could hurt businesses that depend on their labor.
BBVA Research and other analysts agree that the biggest factor driving migration and money sent home (remittances) is the strength of the US economy, not immigration policy. Mass deportation of long-settled immigrants is unlikely because of the economic, political, and practical problems it would cause.
What’s Next? Pending Court Decisions and Future Policies
The future of US-Mexico immigration policy depends on several key factors:
- Court Decisions: The fate of the “Remain in Mexico” program and the ban on asylum at the border will be decided by ongoing federal court cases. These rulings could force the Trump administration to change or reverse some of its policies.
- Continued Enforcement: The administration is expected to keep up or even increase its tough enforcement measures. More military deployments and new border infrastructure are planned.
- Mexico’s Role: Mexico 🇲🇽 will remain a crucial partner in managing migration. The country faces growing challenges as more migrants are stranded on its territory, needing shelter, food, and protection.
Practical Guidance for Stakeholders
For migrants and asylum seekers:
- There are currently no legal pathways to request asylum at the US-Mexico border. Attempting to cross without documents will likely result in immediate removal or being stranded in Mexico.
- The CBP One app is suspended, and all scheduled appointments have been canceled.
- The “Remain in Mexico” program is not currently in effect due to a court order, but this could change.
For families and communities in the US:
- There is no evidence of mass deportations of long-settled Mexican nationals. Most removals target recent arrivals or those with criminal records.
- Policy changes that could affect DACA, T visas, and U visas are being discussed but have not been fully implemented.
For employers:
- The US economy continues to rely on undocumented workers, and there have been no large-scale removals that would disrupt major industries.
For humanitarian organizations:
- The need for support in northern Mexico is growing, as more migrants are stranded without legal options or basic services.
Key Takeaways
- Mass deportations of Mexican nationals from the US have not occurred, despite tough new policies and strong rhetoric from President Trump.
- The Trump administration has focused on deterrence, militarization, and suspending asylum rights, leading to a sharp drop in border crossings.
- Legal and humanitarian challenges are mounting, with thousands of migrants stranded in Mexico and key policies facing court challenges.
- The situation remains fluid and uncertain, with future changes likely depending on court rulings and ongoing cooperation between the US and Mexico.
For the latest updates on US border policy and enforcement, visit the US Department of Homeland Security’s Border Security page.
Conclusion
The feared wave of mass deportations from the United States 🇺🇸 to Mexico 🇲🇽 has not happened. Instead, President Trump’s executive orders have changed the rules at the border, making it much harder for people to enter or seek asylum. These actions have led to a dramatic drop in border crossings and created new challenges for migrants and the Mexican government. As legal battles continue and both countries adjust to the new reality, the future of migration between the US and Mexico remains uncertain. Stakeholders should stay informed about policy changes and seek help from official sources and trusted organizations as the situation develops.
Learn Today
Executive Order (EO) → A directive issued by the US President to manage government operations or policies.
Asylum → Protection granted to people fleeing danger or persecution in their home country.
CBP One app → An application for scheduling legal asylum appointments at official US border crossings.
Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) → Also called ‘Remain in Mexico,’ a policy requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico during US immigration processing.
Expedited Removal → A fast deportation process without a court hearing for recent unauthorized entrants.
This Article in a Nutshell
Since January 2025, new US policies ban asylum at the border and militarize enforcement, drastically reducing crossings. Despite fears, mass deportations of Mexicans have not happened, though thousands remain stranded in Mexico amid legal and humanitarian challenges with uncertain future policies.
— By VisaVerge.com
