Mexico is aiming to unveil a cellphone app to allow citizens living in the United States fearing detention and deportation to set off a "panic button" to alert diplomats and relatives of their situation, reported the Los Angeles Times.
The report came days before of the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged to conduct the biggest deportation program in American history beginning on the first day of his new term.
Juan Ramón de la Fuente, Mexico's secretary of foreign affairs, said the app is currently in small-scale testing with a major roll-out planned for 2025.
"This app is part of a broader strategy to ensure that Mexican nationals receive timely support and legal assistance during these challenging times," he said.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's administration has also increased staff at Mexico's more than 50 consulates in the U.S., adding advisers to provide legal counsel to those facing potential deportation, according to the Times.
Vulnerable Mexican citizens "need to know that they have rights," Sheinbaum told reporters. "You can't just deport a person, detain them, take them to the border. There are a series of legal procedures that need to be followed."
Irineo Mujica, who heads the Pueblo Sin Fronteras rights group, told the Times that the app and addition of consulates is "all a smokescreen to give the impression of doing something in response to Trump. ... Basically, they are going to give in to whatever Trump wants."
Over 11.5 million Mexican citizens have some form of legal residency in the U.S., with 4.8 million without legal residency or proper documentation.
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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