The Mexican government plans to introduce a new “panic button” for Mexican migrants facing deportation from the U.S. The announcement comes just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Throughout the campaign and since winning reelection, Trump has promised to implement mass deportations of immigrants who are in the country illegally during his second term.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum and her administration have confirmed the development of a mobile app currently in the testing phase.
Juan Ramón de la Fuente, Mexico’s secretary of foreign affairs, also said the public can expect a major app rollout this year.
“In case you find yourself in a situation where detention is imminent, you push the alert button, and that sends a signal to the nearest consulate,” De la Fuente said.
The app will alert the nearest Mexican consulate and notify family members of the person facing deportation. Mexican government officials say the feature is designed for individuals facing “imminent detention.”
Officials said that a legal aid program for Mexicans in the U.S. includes more than 300 advisors at 53 consulates. Additional support comes from consultants and law firms.
According to Mexican officials, an estimated 11.5 million Mexicans have legal U.S. residency, while 4.8 million lack legal status or documentation.
“The vulnerable Mexican citizens need to know that they have rights,” Sheinbaum told reporters. “You can’t just deport a person, detain them, take them to the border. There are a series of legal procedures that need to be followed.”
It is unclear when the public will have access to the app.
