Tijuana declares state of emergency as Trump prepares to deport migrants

KARAH RUCKER: As President Donald Trump prepares mass deportations of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. illegally, migrant shelters across the border in Mexico are preparing for a surge in the number of people being deported.

The city of Tijuana, across the border from San Diego and Mexico’s second-largest city, declared a state of emergency on Monday to access more funds to pay for holding migrants, according to the San Diego Union Tribune.

Tijuana is home to more than 30 migrant shelters.

CNN reports that the city’s mayor said that, despite the emergency declaration, the city isn’t alarmed, but wants to be ready if President Trump is particularly effective at following through on his plan.

Tijuana is a common stop for migrants looking to cross into the U.S. The city’s migrant affairs director said over 100,000 people used the CBP One app to set up appointments to cross into the U.S. through Tijuana in 2023.

The CBP One app, the main way for applicants for political asylum in the U.S. to set up their entry into the U.S., is now shut down. President Trump signed an executive order Monday shortly after taking office to end its use after the Biden administration introduced it.

In addition to being a key crossing point for migrants, Tijuana is home to one of the world’s busiest border crossings, with everything from cargo to commuters coming through. 

The San Ysidro Port of Entry, connecting the city with the southern reaches of San Diego, saw more than 15 million vehicle crossings and more than 6 million pedestrian crossings in 2023.

For Straight Arrow News, I’m Karah Rucker.

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