Is Mexico sending hundreds of lawyers to US to help migrants? What we know

Claims that Mexico is sending hundreds of lawyers to the United States to defend migrants in court have spread across social media, but Mexico has not said it plans to do so.

Why It Matters

Immigration remains a divisive political issue in the U.S., with critics raising concerns about a high number of migrant border crossings in recent years. There were about 2.13 million encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border in Fiscal Year 2024, down from 2.48 million in FY2023, according to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

President-elect Donald Trump rode a wave of border outrage to victory in the 2024 election, when he defeated Vice President Kamala Harris. When he returns to the White House this month, immigration and border security will be one of his top priorities and may be a sticking point with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as Trump campaigned on mass deportations of undocumented migrants.

What to Know

Mexico announced new efforts to defend the "human rights" of Mexican migrants living in the United States at the end of December, including a new mobile app that would alert a Mexican migrant's family and their nearest consulate if they are being detained by U.S. authorities, according to a press release. The app will be used to monitor due process and ensure consulate notification.

Foreign Secretary Juan Ramón de la Fuente announced the app during a December 27 press conference in which he discussed an existing legal assistance program that works with 329 legal advisors.

"The Mexican government, through its consular network in the United States, will defend the human rights of its citizens in accordance with international law," the press release said.

The announcement has been interpreted by some prominent, conservative-leaning profiles on X, formerly Twitter, to mean that Mexico will be sending lawyers to the United States, though the release does not explicitly say that.

De la Fuente said Mexico is working on community engagement programs "where the key message is to tell our fellow citizens that they are not alone and will not be alone." The "Know Your Rights" program, he said, is "aimed at prevention and rapid response to possible enforcement scenarios or other intimidating actions."

He said the app is expected to be rolled out in January, but testing is underway, according to the Associated Press.

The government has also set up a 24-hour call center to answer migrant's questions, the AP reported, adding that Mexico has "beefed up" its consulate staff ahead of Trump's second term.

Mexico opened legal defense centers in 2017, during Trump's first term, to help migrants who felt their rights are being threatened.

What People Are Saying

De La Fuente in a press release: "We are also making extensive efforts to encourage all those with children born in the United States to register them with the consulates. Not everyone has done this yet. We strongly encourage everyone to register with our consulates as this enables us to provide legal protection when needed."

Senator Mike Lee, a Utah Republican, on X: "If Mexico is sending hundreds of lawyers to help illegal aliens remain in the U.S., why are we letting them in?"

What Happens Next

Trump has named mass deportations of undocumented migrants as a day-one priority for his administration, so they may begin once he is inaugurated on January 20.

Communities across the country are preparing for the possibility, while Mexico is also bracing for mass deportations later this month.