Mexico City, September 27, 2025 – The Mexican government released updated figures on Thursday, revealing that 109,000 Mexican nationals have been repatriated from the United States since President Donald Trump began his second term in office on January 20, 2025. President Claudia Sheinbaum, addressing the media in a press conference, emphasized that this figure reflects deportations carried out under the current U.S. administration and noted a significant 91% reduction in migrant encounters at Mexico’s northern border with the United States. The announcement comes amid heightened diplomatic and economic discussions between the two nations, particularly in light of Trump’s renewed focus on immigration enforcement and trade policies.
A Historical Perspective on U.S. Deportations of Mexicans
During her address, President Sheinbaum provided a detailed historical overview of Mexican deportations by U.S. administrations, tracing the data back to the early 1990s under former President Bill Clinton. She highlighted that Clinton’s administration holds the record for the highest number of deportations of Mexican nationals in U.S. history. “In one year alone, 1.1 million Mexicans were repatriated,” Sheinbaum stated, underscoring the scale of deportations during Clinton’s two terms from 1993 to 2001. According to the figures presented, a staggering 7,447,247 Mexicans were deported during this period, a number unmatched by any other U.S. president.
Following Clinton, Republican President George W. Bush oversaw the second-highest number of deportations, with 4,653,516 Mexican nationals repatriated during his presidency from 2001 to 2009. These figures reflect a period of heightened immigration enforcement, particularly in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, which led to stricter border security policies and increased scrutiny of immigration flows.
By contrast, Democratic President Barack Obama, serving from 2009 to 2017, oversaw 2,848,937 deportations of Mexican nationals. Despite his administration’s reputation for progressive policies, Obama earned the moniker “Deporter-in-Chief” from immigration advocates due to the high volume of deportations during his tenure. President Joe Biden, who served from 2021 to 2025, recorded 891,503 deportations of Mexicans, a lower figure than his predecessors but still significant in the context of U.S.-Mexico relations.
Interestingly, President Trump’s first term (2016–2020) saw the lowest deportation numbers among recent U.S. administrations, with 766,055 Mexicans repatriated. This figure has often been cited by Trump’s critics as evidence of a less aggressive deportation policy compared to his rhetoric, though his administration prioritized high-profile enforcement actions and policies aimed at deterring illegal immigration, such as the controversial “zero-tolerance” policy that led to family separations at the border.
Since taking office for his second term, Trump has overseen the deportation of 109,000 Mexicans, with 82,049 of those occurring in the last six months alone. These numbers suggest a renewed emphasis on immigration enforcement, aligning with Trump’s campaign promises to strengthen border security and reduce illegal immigration.
Sheinbaum’s Immigration Strategy and Border Encounter Reductions
President Sheinbaum, who assumed office on October 1, 2024, as Mexico’s first female president, has made immigration a cornerstone of her administration’s agenda. During her press conference, she touted a 91% reduction in migrant encounters at Mexico’s northern border, a statistic she attributed to her government’s proactive measures to address migration flows. “Since we took office, we have worked diligently to manage migration in a humane and effective manner,” Sheinbaum said. “Our policies are focused on addressing the root causes of migration while ensuring the safety and dignity of those involved.”
According to data provided by the Mexican government, U.S. border authorities reported approximately 15,000 migrant encounters per month along the U.S.-Mexico border as of December 2023. Sheinbaum noted that this number has now dropped to between 200 and 300 encounters per day, translating to roughly 6,000 to 9,000 encounters per month—a significant decline. This reduction reflects a combination of Mexican and U.S. efforts to curb illegal border crossings, though the precise mechanisms behind this drop remain a subject of debate among analysts.
Sheinbaum’s administration has implemented several strategies to address migration, including increased cooperation with U.S. authorities, enhanced border security measures, and programs aimed at addressing the socioeconomic factors driving migration. One notable measure has been the deployment of Mexican military troops to the northern border, a response to both domestic pressures and U.S. demands for greater control over migration flows. This militarization of the border has sparked mixed reactions, with some praising the move as a necessary step to maintain order, while others criticize it as a potential violation of human rights.
U.S.-Mexico Relations and Trump’s Tariff Threats
The backdrop to these immigration figures is a complex and often contentious relationship between the United States and Mexico, particularly under President Trump’s second administration. Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly threatened to impose tariffs on Mexican exports as a means of pressuring Mexico to take stronger action against illegal immigration. These threats echo policies from his first term, such as the 2019 threat to impose a 5% tariff on Mexican goods unless Mexico took steps to reduce migration flows.
In response, Sheinbaum has pledged to work collaboratively with the U.S. to address migration while protecting Mexico’s economic interests. “We are committed to a partnership that benefits both nations,” she said. “Our efforts to reduce migration are not just about responding to external pressures but about building a more stable and prosperous region.” The deployment of military troops to the border is part of this commitment, though it has raised concerns about the militarization of migration policy and its implications for vulnerable populations, including asylum seekers.
Trump’s tariff threats have also reignited discussions about the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the trade deal that replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 2020. The USMCA has been a cornerstone of economic cooperation between the two countries, with Mexico being one of the United States’ largest trading partners. Any imposition of tariffs could disrupt supply chains, particularly in industries such as automotive manufacturing, agriculture, and electronics, which rely heavily on cross-border trade. Economists warn that such measures could lead to higher prices for consumers in both countries and strain diplomatic relations.
Historical Context: Immigration Policy in the U.S. and Mexico
To fully understand the significance of the current deportation figures and border policies, it is essential to examine the historical context of U.S.-Mexico immigration dynamics. Migration from Mexico to the United States has been shaped by a combination of economic, political, and social factors, including disparities in wages, violence and instability in certain regions of Mexico, and U.S. demand for low-cost labor in sectors such as agriculture, construction, and hospitality.
During the 1990s, under President Clinton, the U.S. implemented several policies that contributed to the high deportation numbers cited by Sheinbaum. The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, for instance, expanded the grounds for deportation and increased penalties for immigration violations. This legislation, combined with economic pressures in Mexico following the 1994 peso crisis, led to a surge in deportations and heightened border enforcement.
The George W. Bush administration continued this trend, particularly after the 9/11 attacks, which prompted a broader focus on national security and border control. Programs such as the Secure Border Initiative and increased funding for Border Patrol agents contributed to the high deportation numbers during this period.
Under Obama, the focus shifted toward “smart enforcement,” prioritizing the deportation of individuals with criminal records or those deemed a threat to national security. However, the sheer volume of deportations during his administration drew criticism from immigrant rights groups, who argued that the policies tore families apart and disproportionately affected non-criminal migrants.
Trump’s first term was marked by high-profile immigration policies, including the construction of sections of a border wall, the implementation of the “Remain in Mexico” policy (formally known as the Migrant Protection Protocols), and the aforementioned zero-tolerance policy. While these measures garnered significant attention, the relatively low deportation numbers during his first term suggest that the impact of these policies was more symbolic than substantive in terms of raw numbers.
The Biden administration, meanwhile, sought to reverse some of Trump’s policies while maintaining a focus on border security. However, record-high migrant encounters at the border in 2021 and 2022 put pressure on the administration to adopt stricter measures, resulting in a mixed approach that combined humanitarian policies with increased enforcement.
Sheinbaum’s Domestic and International Challenges
For President Sheinbaum, managing migration is not only a matter of international diplomacy but also a domestic priority. Mexico has long served as both a source and a transit country for migrants, with many Central Americans passing through Mexico en route to the United States. The country faces the dual challenge of addressing the needs of its own citizens who attempt to migrate north while also managing the flow of migrants from other countries.
Sheinbaum’s administration has emphasized a “root causes” approach to migration, focusing on economic development, job creation, and social programs to reduce the incentives for Mexicans to leave their country. Initiatives such as increased investment in southern Mexico, where poverty rates are among the highest in the country, aim to create opportunities for communities that have historically relied on migration as a means of economic survival.
At the same time, Sheinbaum must navigate the delicate balance of cooperating with the United States without appearing to capitulate to external pressures. Her decision to deploy military troops to the border has been controversial, with critics arguing that it risks escalating tensions with migrant communities and could lead to human rights abuses. Supporters, however, contend that the move demonstrates Mexico’s commitment to addressing U.S. concerns while maintaining sovereignty over its border policies.
The Human Impact of Deportation and Border Policies
Behind the statistics lie the human stories of those affected by deportation and border enforcement. For many Mexican nationals, deportation represents not only a disruption of their lives but also a return to a country where economic opportunities may be limited. Reintegration programs in Mexico, such as those providing job training and financial assistance to deportees, have been implemented to varying degrees of success, but challenges remain in ensuring that returnees can rebuild their lives.
Migrant encounters at the border, while reduced, also highlight the ongoing risks faced by those attempting to cross into the United States. Smugglers, known as “coyotes,” often charge exorbitant fees to guide migrants across dangerous terrain, and reports of violence, exploitation, and death along the border remain a concern. Sheinbaum’s administration has pledged to crack down on human trafficking networks, but the complexity of the issue requires sustained cooperation with both U.S. and Central American authorities.
Looking Ahead: The Future of U.S.-Mexico Immigration Policy
As both the United States and Mexico continue to grapple with the challenges of migration, the relationship between the two countries will likely remain a focal point of bilateral discussions. President Trump’s aggressive stance on immigration, coupled with his threats of economic penalties, suggests that Mexico will face continued pressure to align its policies with U.S. priorities. For Sheinbaum, the challenge will be to maintain a cooperative relationship with the United States while addressing domestic concerns about sovereignty, human rights, and economic stability.
The reported 91% reduction in migrant encounters is a significant achievement for Sheinbaum’s administration, but sustaining this trend will require ongoing investment in both enforcement and prevention strategies. Meanwhile, the human cost of deportation and border policies will continue to shape public opinion and policy debates on both sides of the border.
In the broader context, the issue of migration underscores the interconnectedness of the U.S. and Mexican economies, societies, and political systems. As both nations navigate this complex issue, the need for dialogue, cooperation, and innovative solutions has never been greater.
