A recent surge in U.S.-bound migrants in Mexico seeking assistance to return to their home countries has been observed by the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM) amidst President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. According to IOM data exclusively shared with Reuters, the agency received 2,862 requests for its assisted voluntary return program in January and February, more than triple the number from the same period last year. This increase in requests is a direct result of the challenges faced by migrants stranded in Mexico due to the immigration policies implemented by Trump. The shift in attitudes among migrants towards returning to their home countries instead of pursuing opportunities in the U.S. is evident, particularly with recent drops in migrant arrests at the U.S. southern border.
Migrants from countries like Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Venezuela are among those seeking assistance to return home, reflecting the limited legal pathways available to them while waiting in Mexico. The termination of humanitarian parole programs has left many migrants stranded without proper documentation or financial resources to return home. The risks of violence and exploitation by criminal groups in Mexico further motivate migrants to seek repatriation.
Despite the increasing number of requests for assistance, IOM can only facilitate the return of a fraction of those in need. In February, the agency helped approximately 330 migrants across the region to return to their home countries. The closure of legal pathways to the U.S. has compelled migrants like Josybeth, a Venezuelan woman in northern Mexico, to consider returning to Venezuela due to expired passports and financial constraints.
The National Migration Institute (INM) did not provide a response to inquiries regarding the situation. The ongoing challenges faced by migrants in Mexico highlight the complex repercussions of immigration policies on vulnerable populations seeking better opportunities.
