Mexico Raises Concerns Over U.S. Human Rights Violations in Migrant Cases

Mexico City, Jan 31,2025 : Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has lodged a complaint with the U.S. government on behalf of two deported undocumented migrants who claim U.S. authorities violated their human rights during deportation proceedings, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Thursday.

The two individuals—a Mexican man and a Guatemalan woman—were among those recently deported to Mexico on repatriation flights. However, Sheinbaum did not specify the nature of the mistreatment they allegedly endured.

During her routine morning press briefing at the National Palace in Mexico City, Sheinbaum stated that the Foreign Ministry had taken steps to formally accuse the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency of misconduct and request a review of the case.

Amid his reelection campaign, U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to implement widespread deportations of undocumented immigrants. Following his inauguration on Jan. 20, deportation operations have intensified across various U.S. regions, reportedly targeting individuals with criminal records.

Between Jan. 20 and Jan. 26, a total of 5,282 migrants were deported to Mexico via civilian flights, including 4,083 Mexican nationals. On Jan. 27, another 527 migrants—355 of whom were Mexican—were sent back, followed by an additional 435 on Jan. 28.

“In every instance, migrants arrive in Mexico without restraints or special gear. Upon arrival, they undergo interviews to determine whether their human rights were violated,” Sheinbaum explained.

On Wednesday, Trump directed the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security to prepare a detention facility capable of housing up to 30,000 migrants at Guantanamo Bay, a U.S. naval base situated on Cuba’s southeastern coast.