Baja officials brace for ‘elevated’ deportations under Trump

SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — Officials in Baja California expect a high increase in the number of deportations by the U.S. government once Donald Trump returns to office.

Throughout the campaign, Trump promised to deport large numbers of migrants should he regain the presidency.

“Every time there are changes in the United States, it directly impacts us especially when people are being returned,” said Jorge Rivera Manzo, director of governmental migrant affairs with the state.. “Some will go directly back to their countries, others will arrive in Mexico depending on agreements made with each country, but we are getting ready for elevated returns.”

Rivera Manzo stated that right now, shelters are relatively quiet with 60% vacancy rates in Tijuana and 70% in Mexicali.

José María García Lara, who is in charge of a shelter called Movimiento Juventud 2000, said he is worried about the expected migrant traffic in the city with people deported through Tijuana as a result of Tuesday’s election.

“When people are waiting for asylum, hoping the United States will help, it leads to a lot of uncertainty among the migrants we have here at the shelter,” he said.

One of those migrants, Emir Garcia, says they are here out of necessity and not by choice. She remains hopeful Trump will decide to help the migrants.

“We’re all afraid, all the migrants, we need his help,” Garcia said. “We know he has to take care of his country, but he also needs to help others around the world.”

Others like Lucia Chique, from Mexico, aren’t expecting much from the incoming Trump administration.

“Donald Trump doesn’t want us, he doesn’t want Latinos, he doesn’t want Mexicans,” she said. “There are going to be a lot of deportations of those seeking asylum, it’s going to get very complicated.”

Chique also worries the CBP One app, which helps migrants land appointments to lawfully cross the border and ask for asylum, will be discontinued once Trump takes over.

Right now, the app is providing 1,450 daily appointments to migrants.

“We’re using the application, but you hear rumors that he’s going to eliminate it, it’s going to get harder for migrants.”

Other CBP One users, like Jesus Ramos, want Trump to continue the program.

“I’ve been waiting three months for an appointment, I just want to get to the U.S. to see my grandparents one more time,” he said.

Ramos believes if Trump cuts access to CBP One, migrants will be forced to use smugglers.

“I’m going to cross regardless, I’ll use a coyote (smuggler) if necessary.”

Ramos says others in the shelter are prepared to do the same thing.