MEXICO CITY — In response to heightened immigration enforcement under the incoming Biden administration, Mexico is creating a new cellphone application aimed at helping migrants alert their families and local consulates if they believe they may be detained by U.S. immigration officials.
Juan Ramón de la Fuente, Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs, announced that the app is currently being tested on a small scale and reports show it is functioning effectively. The design is intended to serve as a “panic button” for users. By pressing a designated button, migrants can send an alert to selected family members and the closest Mexican consulate.
“In the event that you find yourself facing imminent detention, just press the alert button, and a signal goes out to the nearest consulate,” de la Fuente explained.
U.S. regulations require that when foreign citizens are detained, authorities must notify their home country’s consulate. In anticipation of potential increases in detentions, Mexico has strengthened its consular presence and legal assistance for migrants facing deportation processes.
The app is expected to be fully available by January, although there is no mention of a feature that would allow users to cancel an alert if they find themselves not actually detained. Additionally, the Mexican government has established a 24-hour call center for migrants needing assistance or information.
According to government estimates, there are approximately 11.5 million migrants currently residing in the United States legally, alongside an estimated 4.8 million who lack legal status or proper documentation.
