TAPACHULA, Mexico (AFP) — As the January 20 inauguration of former President Donald Trump nears, uncertainty looms large for migrants in southern Mexico. With the possibility of mass deportations on the horizon, many travelers hoping for a better life in the United States are questioning whether their asylum appointments will even be honored.
For those whose appointments are scheduled after Trump’s return to power, particularly those in the southern border region of Tapachula, the fear is palpable. Yusmelis Villalobos, a Venezuelan migrant set for an asylum interview on January 23, expressed the growing sense of apprehension: “We feel helpless, not knowing what will happen next.”
The uncertainty is not only political. For Venezuelan migrants like Dayana Hernandez, the situation is compounded by unrest in their home country. Hernandez, who has witnessed Nicolás Maduro’s controversial inauguration for a third term, finds herself at a crossroads, unsure whether to retreat or continue toward the U.S. border. “We feel stuck,” she said. “It’s a tough decision—go back or risk it all moving forward.”
Trump’s tough rhetoric on immigration continues to rattle those in pursuit of a safer, more stable life. The former president’s repeated attacks on immigrants, including promises to expel millions, leaves many concerned their futures might be abruptly halted. During his first term, Trump pressured Mexico to curb migration, and with his impending return to the White House, the stakes seem even higher.
However, amid these fears, some migrants, like Hernandez, cling to a glimmer of hope. “Not all of us are criminals,” she said. “Many of us are just looking for a chance to work and build a future.”
While many await their asylum interviews through the CBP One mobile app, which offers the potential for a U.S. work permit, the reality remains grim. Mexican authorities, overwhelmed by the growing numbers, have struggled to maintain order in Tapachula, leading to an increasing number of migrants leaving the city in caravans. The long wait for permits and the constant threat of detention by Mexican immigration officials have fueled this desperate migration northward.
Anais Rojas, a 20-year-old Venezuelan migrant traveling with her child, also faces the unknown with an appointment scheduled for January 23. She expressed a mix of gratitude and uncertainty, saying, “We are lucky to have an appointment, but we still have no idea what to expect.”
Despite Trump’s staunch anti-immigrant policies, Rojas expressed understanding, acknowledging that, if Trump’s policies stimulate the U.S. economy, it could benefit everyone, including migrants. “Maybe there’s a reason he won,” she said. “If the economy improves, it’s good for all of us.”
As Trump’s presidency looms, migrants in Mexico find themselves trapped between uncertainty and hope, unsure if their dreams of a better life in the U.S. will be crushed or fulfilled. The clock is ticking, and the future remains as unclear as ever.
