Although President-elect Donald Trump has yet to take office, the promise of stricter border enforcement is already deterring many would-be illegal immigrants from attempting to enter the United States. According to reports, a growing number of migrants stranded in Mexico are seeking to return to their home countries, disillusioned by the risks and dwindling opportunities to cross the border under Trump’s upcoming administration.
A Venezuelan official speaking with Reuters revealed that 50 to 100 Venezuelan nationals in Mexico are now requesting “voluntary return” each week. Many have faced dangerous conditions in Mexico, including kidnappings, sexual exploitation, and extortion by cartels. Some migrants told Reuters that the prospect of Trump’s border crackdown has convinced them to abandon their journey, despite the hardships they face back home.
A significant source of frustration is Trump’s pledge to end the CBP One app, a program expanded by the Biden administration to allow migrants in Mexico to schedule asylum appointments at U.S. ports of entry. Since January 2023, the app has facilitated over 800,000 appointments, but its termination is expected to cut off a critical pathway for many migrants.
“I am traumatized. If I don’t get the appointment, I will go back,” said Nidia Montenegro, a 52-year-old Venezuelan migrant waiting in Mexico.
During Biden’s presidency, Mexico became a central transit point for millions of migrants attempting to reach the United States. Approximately 8.5 million encounters at the southern border have been recorded under his administration, with fiscal years 2023 and 2024 marking record highs. Biden’s immigration policies, including 296 executive actions in his first year, reversed many of Trump’s measures and expanded avenues for asylum claims, which some critics argue exacerbated the migration crisis.
Trump, known for his hardline stance on immigration during his first term, has promised to reinstate several stringent policies. These include resuming construction of the border wall, reinstating the Remain in Mexico program, and launching the largest deportation initiative in U.S. history. In a September post on X, Trump outlined his plan to end what he called the “migrant invasion,” vowing to suspend refugee resettlement, revoke deportation immunity, and terminate the CBP One app.
Despite fears of a migrant surge ahead of Trump’s inauguration, reports suggest the opposite. Many migrants feel defeated, with some abandoning their attempts to reach the U.S. altogether. Todd Bensman, a national security fellow with the Center for Immigration Studies, reported from a migrant camp in Mexico City that most individuals there had given up and planned to return home after Trump takes office.
Still, some migrants remain hopeful, attempting to secure appointments before Trump’s inauguration or planning alternative ways to cross the border. “I trust I will arrive before Mr. Trump takes office,” said Johana, a young Venezuelan in Guatemala. “If it’s not by appointment, there’s always a way.”
As the transition of power approaches, the impact of Trump’s anticipated policies is already reshaping migration patterns, signaling a significant shift in the handling of the border crisis.
