Mexico’s government has unveiled a new initiative aimed at providing emergency legal and consular support to migrants in the United States. The program comes in response to anticipated mass deportations under the incoming administration of President-Elect Donald J. Trump.
During a Friday morning press conference, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Foreign Relations Minister Juan Ramón De La Fuente introduced the Program of External Legal Advisory (PALE). This initiative enlists a network of attorneys, law firms, and advisors in the U.S. who have volunteered to assist consular officials and migrants encountering immigration issues. The program also includes the development of an app featuring a panic button, allowing individuals to instantly connect with consular officials and legal aid.
Additionally, the program includes a call center enabling Mexicans in the U.S. to contact their nearest consulate for immediate legal assistance.
“To deport someone from the United States, a judicial order is needed,” De La Fuente explained. “There must be a final deportation or removal sentence, as it is termed legally.”
He elaborated that once an order is issued, migrants are detained and must appear before a judge for a series of hearings.
“For a deportation to occur, there must be a judge’s order demonstrating this,” De La Fuente emphasized. “We will be vigilant to ensure due process is upheld.”
De La Fuente also stated that all 53 Mexican consulates in the U.S. would implement local action plans to assist Mexican nationals. The consulates will collaborate with NGOs, churches, and universities to offer additional support to migrants dealing with immigration challenges.
