Deportation from the U.S. to Mexico

Written by: Sierra Green

Photo Credit: The New York Times

Making the transition from one country to another can be difficult, especially when it is involuntary and unexpected. 

“Deportation from the U.S. to Mexico” was a panel discussion hosted by Dr. Perla M. Guerrero, an associate professor for the American Studies Department at the University of Maryland, to illuminate the challenges often unheard of in the process of deportation. 

Dr. Guerrero hosted two other panelists. 

Rossy Antúnez is a sociologist and anthropologist who works in the Transnational Families Unit for the Institute for Women in Migration in Mexico. Antúnez mostly works in international political advocacy for migrants and their families to have rights during the process of deportation. 

The second panelist was Maggie Loredo, who has over ten years of experience in activism for human rights of deported individuals, forced returnees to Mexico and undocumented families within the United States. Loredo is the current coordinator of the Research Institute for Human Mobilities and the Narrative Practices Collective Clinic. She is also a producer and filmmaker, most known for her work in the documentary “El Digno Retorno,” directed by Jose Eduardo Aguilar. 

The two came together to talk about their individual experiences returning to Mexico while also providing a professional angle on the issues within the process of deportation. Loredo grew up in the United States, undocumented, and was forced to return to Mexico in 2008. Antúnez spent most of her formative years in Wisconsin before returning to Mexico. 

Deportation has always been an issue in the U.S., but it has escalated over the last 30 years. Deportations take place when local law enforcement works alongside the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  

According to Dr. Guerrero, the money that financial detention centers make off of incarcerated individuals is one of the main reasons for deportation. For years, the U.S. government has been expanding the range of what counts as a crime and what is considered deportable when it comes to immigration law. 

The U.S. government distinguishes between people who are deported and those who engage in voluntary departure, but according to Dr. Guerrero, “voluntary departure is often not voluntary.”

“Deportation, as we see it more as people being abducted during their daily dynamics, while forced return (voluntary departure) is the impact of the deportation machine,” said Antúnez. “Deportation doesn’t end at the moment you arrive at the border or the airport…it’s a longer process.” 

Many deportees are separated from their families and affected for decades to follow.

Once arriving back in Mexico, many people struggle culturally, linguistically and in adapting to the dynamics of a new country. Just like many other countries, Mexico struggles with gender and safety issues. As a result of everything, many deportees’ mental health is impacted while they try to overcome this process. 

There are 11 repatriation centers across Mexico for deportees to receive food, shelter, and documentation. From there, the Mexican government is supposed to provide transportation for migrants, but this rarely happens. 

Previously, most people were dropped off in Mexico City, but recently, the U.S. government imposed that deportees should be sent to the farthest points–states like Tabasco and Chiapas–to prevent easy reentry to the U.S. If someone is not from that area, it will be a long and expensive journey back to their hometown. 

“People are being sent by the Mexican government through buses to Mexico City, and they’re just dropped off there,” said Antúnez. “Then people just have to figure out how to arrive to their states of birth.” 

Antúnez explained that many deportees have a false sense of reality when going back to their country of origin, as they assume it will be simple. 

“We have seen that many people dream about returning someday to the motherland… a really romantic idea,” says Antúez. 

In reality, for many people, their country of origin is simply where they were born. It can be unfamiliar and hard to leave ties to communities, education, and labor in the places they live and to return to a country that has changed so much. 

Antúnez believes that Mexico lacks social movements and support networks for migrants, including their own citizens, because they don’t see themselves as a country of migrants. She stressed the importance of accountability for the Mexican government, including taking responsibility for their citizens, even if they live outside of the country. 

Loredo also brought to light that the majority of deportees don't get to experience the welfare programs Mexico has, such as programs targeting poverty, because of the bureaucracy. This is when documents that deportees and migrants have aren’t accepted in Mexico, even if they were provided for by the Mexican government years ago.  

This is important for undocumented immigrants and Mexican nationals to know. A passport issued by the Mexican embassy in the United States would not be recognized in Mexico. 

People have also experienced problems validating their education when going back to Mexico, like high school or college diplomas. These situations often create unexpected obstacles. 

“The narrative is Mexico embraces you and Mexico welcomes you, but those are just words,” said Loredo. “It’s sort of just a PR line… it’s not actually followed up in concrete ways.”

Loredo explained how significant change and better experiences for deportees and their families would take significant transnational and translocal advocacy and resources, and the involvement of the Mexican government. Vulnerable people can prepare for deportation by gathering all documents, identification, building relationships with organizations in Mexico and learning the phone numbers of their family members. 

Just last Monday, Antúnez’s organization received 120 deportees–families, women, and children–mostly from the Washington D.C. area. While many people look away from the current issues of deportation, many individuals, families and communities are impacted daily.  

“We have always had two different Mexican societies, the ones that left and the ones that stayed,” said Antúnez.