Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has announced that his country is in discussions with the United States to establish an agreement that would see asylum-seekers and migrants deported directly to their countries of origin instead of being processed in Mexico.
This development follows US President Joe Biden's recent executive action, which aims to prevent individuals from requesting asylum if they cross the US-Mexico border illegally during periods of high illegal crossings. Under the new policy, unless they meet specific exemptions, asylum-seekers would be either turned away to Mexico or sent back to their home countries.
Despite these changes, the flow of commerce and legal immigration across the border will continue as usual, according to the president's proclamation issued on Tuesday.
When asked about the potential impact of Biden's plan on Mexico, President López Obrador expressed his country's desire for a direct deportation agreement with the US to manage the situation more effectively. He reassured that Mexico is prepared to receive asylum seekers and migrants and treat them well, but emphasized the benefits of a direct arrangement between the two nations.
President López Obrador also mentioned that he is not concerned about Mexican border towns being overwhelmed by an influx of individuals deported from the US, highlighting the importance of a streamlined process for handling deportations.
Furthermore, President Biden and President López Obrador had a phone call on Tuesday, during which they discussed the importance of supporting Latin American nations. The Mexican president described the conversation as respectful and amicable, indicating a positive dialogue between the two leaders.
