President Donald Trump's immigration policies have caused a surge in migrants in Mexico seeking assistance to return to their home countries, as reported by the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM).
During January and February, the IOM received 2,862 requests for its voluntary return program, three times more than in the same period last year, according to exclusive data shared with Reuters.
This rise in requests, previously unreported, illustrates the impact of Trump's immigration crackdown, leaving potentially tens of thousands of migrants stranded in Mexico.
It marks a noticeable change in attitudes among migrants who previously perceived the U.S. as worth the risks of the journey northward. This shift aligns with increased migrant arrests at the U.S. southern border.
In the past two months, the IOM has received requests from migrants wanting to return to various countries, including Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Venezuela, according to Alberto Cabezas, IOM's spokesman in Mexico.
Israel Ibarra, a researcher at the Mexican think tank COLEF, explained that the rise in returns reflects the limited legal options now available to migrants in Mexico.
Following Trump's measures since January 20, such as banning asylum and closing legal pathways to the U.S., migrants have found themselves with few alternatives.
The abrupt end to programs like CBP One has left many migrants stranded without the means or documents to return home. The situation is exacerbated by the dangers of staying in Mexico, where crime organizations often target migrants.
Despite the demand, IOM can only assist a small fraction of those seeking repatriation. In February, around 330 migrants were helped to return to their home countries.
The National Migration Institute did not comment on the situation.
Josybeth, a 37-year-old Venezuelan stranded in northern Mexico, expressed her desire to return to Venezuela due to closed U.S. entry pathways. However, expired passports and financial constraints make the journey challenging.
"I never wanted to live here in Mexico," Josybeth said. "I want to go back."