Tijuana, Mexico — Many deportees are facing significant challenges as they attempt to rebuild their lives after being removed from the United States. Just three miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, individuals like Juan Carlos are trying to adapt to a new reality in Tijuana. Juan Carlos, who lived in the U.S. for 19 years, was arrested by federal immigration agents while working with his construction crew in California. "As soon as I saw them, I tried to run," he recalled. His arrest was captured on video and shared online. After spending two weeks in detention, he signed deportation papers. "Los Angeles gave me many things. It gave me opportunities. It gave me another kind of life... I felt like I was home. But everything happens for a reason," he said.

The Mexican government has prepared for an influx of deportees by establishing shelters along the border. One such facility, Flamingo's, was previously an event space and can accommodate up to 3,000 people, although it has only housed about 100 at a time. Pricila Rivas, a deportee coordinator for Al Otro Lado, the only nonprofit allowed in the facility, explained that it serves as a processing station where deportees can obtain essential documents like birth certificates. Rivas assists deportees in finding work, shelter, and reconnecting with family. However, she noted that not all deportees are sent to locations with available resources. "There's flights going to Tapachula, to the southern border of Mexico. So what happens to the folks that are being deported to other places?" she asked.

Despite increased enforcement, the mass deportations promised by the Trump administration have not fully materialized. Recent data indicates that ICE is on track to exceed 300,000 removals in the first year of Trump's second term, the highest number since the Obama administration. However, this figure remains below the administration's goal of one million annual deportations. The Department of Homeland Security has reported over 13,000 self-deportations since the beginning of Trump's second term.

One individual who chose to self-deport is Uliser, a Cuban immigrant. After serving 19 years in a U.S. prison for a fatal shooting at age 15, he faced deportation. With Cuba refusing to accept deportees, he feared being sent to a country he did not know. "It was a high risk of me, of the United States sending me to Salvador or South Sudan," he said. He opted to come to Mexico instead, believing it would offer better opportunities.

Of the estimated 100,000 people deported by ICE between January 1 and June 24, 70,583 had criminal convictions, primarily for traffic or immigration offenses. Less than 1% had murder convictions. Uliser expressed regret over how immigrants are often portrayed. "When I was in prison, I did a lot of reflection. They use that excuse just to target the folks that are actually working and trying to have a better life," he stated.

Since his release, Uliser has trained for a new career as a sales development representative and aims to support others starting anew in Mexico. "There's a lot of people that are coming. They're going to be coming out from prison, even deported here to Mexico. And if I can be of help in any way I can, I'm going to continue to do the same thing in honor of my victim and his family," he said. Many deportees express a desire to return to the U.S., but with strict border controls, they fear that the only option would be illegal and expensive.