The Mexican government announced on Friday that it is working to develop a “panic button” for migrants in the United States who think they might soon be detained by U.S. immigration authorities.
The effort involves a cellphone app created in response to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s warnings that he will carry out mass deportations upon taking office on Jan. 20, 2025.
#deportaciones Botón de pánico para migrantes en EEUU anuncia Juan Ramón de la Fuente SRE pic.twitter.com/8GnLbugqVk
— Odilón García (@odilon_garcia) December 27, 2024
Speaking at President Sheinbaum’s daily press conference on Friday, Foreign Affairs Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente said the app will allow users to press a button that immediately sends a notification to previously selected relatives and the nearest Mexican consulate.
Describing the device as a sort of “panic button” for Mexicans in the United States, De la Fuente said small-scale testing has proven that the app “appears to be working very well.”
“The most important thing is that if someone is detained — regardless of migratory status — the consulate is informed and thus able to provide all necessary attention and protect that person’s rights,” De la Fuente said, according to the Mexican news agency Quadratín.
U.S. authorities are obliged to give notice to home-country consulates when a citizen is detained abroad, but the “panic button” would provide immediate notice to more people, expanding the web of transparency.
The “panic button” allows users to choose contacts they would want to notify in case of emergency and pre-load personalized messages to each recipient. A single click would send all the messages by text in seconds.
President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has pledged to “defend” Mexican migrants at risk of deportation, said the app is expected to be available Jan. 6.
A similar app called Notifica was developed back in 2017 during Trump’s first presidential campaign in which he also spoke about mass deportations. That app is owned and published by United We Dream, an immigrant youth-led network in the United States.
The newspaper Milenio reported that Mexico’s app is being developed with the assistance of the newly established Digital Transformation Agency.
It is not yet clear if the app has a de-activation function that would allow someone to rescind an alert if they are not detained.
The Mexican government began preparing for potential mass deportations as a result of Trump’s victory in the November presidential election.
The government has set up a 24-hour call center to answer migrants’ questions and has added to existing consular staff in the United States, including additional personnel to provide legal help to migrants caught up in the legal process related to deportation, the AP reported.
With reports from Milenio, Quadratín and El Economista
This is an impressive action to get help quickly. Our government is taking the protection of citizens seriously. These people are simply pawns in a political game that can easily be fixed if there was not a need for someone to blame for the troubles up there.
You are 100% right
Thank you President Sheinbaum for your response to frightening mass deportations. It’s not surprising to me that Mexico shows compassion and solutions. The farmers in the US, who overwhelmingly voted for trump, will regret their support for him.
As will the consumers!
. . . perhaps the US could develop an app that sends an alert to the US Consulates in the estados de Mexico whenever a visitor to Mexico is stopped by uniformed and civilian individuals who have illegal intent to “shake down for money” innocent tourists or travelers . . . ???
. . . A REVERSE jiu-jitsu so to speak
I have noted that I can cross the border into Mexico with very little difficulty. I am allowed to use the public roads and I have the option to pay for toll roads that are exceptional. I freely move about, enjoying the hospitality of the Mexican people and I have not experienced any systemic government effort to make my visit difficult. I don’t see that a comparison with a renigade group of Mexican government employees or Mexican criminals compares with the organized efforts of US businesses to use foreign labor, illegally, and at the same time for the US government, through it’s excessively politicized government, make these useful workers pawns in political gamesmanship. That US busisnesses exploit millions of workers (who help pay my social security and health benefits) and then, when there is political gain, exploit these people, does not compare with what you are describing. People crossing the southern border into the US are predominately escaping terrible political and economic issues. Note what has happened as the political and employment situation in these countries improves-people are coming back to Mexico and El Salvador from the US, in mass. The net migration between Mexico and El Salvador and the US is negative in the US. I would not want to equate the dangerous journey these people make to escape poverty and crime in their countries with vacation travel in Mexico.
Herbert Silver, well said. I have lived with my husband in a remote town in Mexico for almost 11 years and have only experienced a warm, loving community of very humble and accepting people.
Well stated, my friend.
Excellent response! Maintaining perspective seems to be a lost art.
Thank you Herbert!!
Maybe if a tourist in Mexico feels this way they should not travel there!
Of course you want to turn the tables. If you’re getting a shake down from the locals, maybe you’re hanging with the wrong people.
Not a bad idea
And of course you had to take the opportunity to take the focus away from this article and plan….let me guess…you’re from the USA? Have you travelled in Mexico…other than staying at a resort?
I am missing something or does this alert use X to send the message?
Why doesn’t she take care of her own citizens in her country so they don’t want to flee to the US. She should find this problem embarrassing that her citizens do t want to live in her country instead of enabling the problem.
[email protected] please educate yourself before speaking. The Morena party does a lot to help the people in Mexico, and less are leaving. Check the statistics. We are a proud people and our Presidenta Sheinbaum is an excellent leader. I would think the US would be the more embarrassed country having a criminal and aspiring dictator leading them.
I am shocked by these negative comments! Wgy are these people in Mexico if the feel this way.
ztheyshould be the ones deported.
She just started her six year term. Can you give her a little time, please?!?!
Do you seriously think that people are uprooting their lives just to move away from family, typically, to a different country where they don’t speak the language nor know the culture, for reasons other than desperation? In my experience, those who have the courage to do so are extremely proud of their country and are profoundly saddened that they have to take this step. They are certainly not crossing the border for vacation! Sure, things in Mexico could be better in several ways. But isn’t that true for ‘every’ country?
I would have to say the same about the USA…why doesn’t that country do more to provide universal health care for their citizens? Why is the USA the only country out of 33 that does not have universal health care. Why is th USA low on the scale for providing quality education? Why doesn’t the USA take care of their people first?
The “panic button” is going to create more “PANIC”<What good is it going to do put alert the police. All illegal Mexicans living in the US are "headed back to Mexico with their "kids". That the bottom line'. Straight forward movement. All detained "children will be sent bac to their "partens" as well where they belong. President Sheinbaum can't stop that movement no matter "how many "Panic" buttons she has provided.
So Mexican people in Mexico, "open the door for these 11 million illeals that are "headed your way very soon. Thank your past President for this stupid thing he allowed to happen. He is the responsible person for this big "mess he left behind for Sheinbaum to SOLV.
It would be easy to have most illegals self deport within a few months. The US President can pass an EO that states that anyone found on US soil illegally after X date will have a permanent, lifetime ban from entering the US for any reason. Most illegals will leave. They know they’ll be out eventually, so better to leave on one’s own volition with the possibility of returning one day than be forced to leave with no possibility of ever returning. Mexico can implement the same law. In short order there’d be few illegals on either side of the border.
Nobody would believe a “forever ban” given the history of illegal immigration here. Indeed, it was done once. During Reagan’s presidency, he and the democrats made that deal. Guess who broke it? You can’t make forever deals with traitors in your government.
So Biden let 11 million in? Are you clueless? Obviously. The orange turd has NO clue how to pull this off. WATCH OUT donnie. You will have a rude awakening.
He was referring to AMLO, not Biden. Biden let in 4 or 5 million, apparently, but not only Mexicans. The flow of illegals included Haitians, Africans and Central Americans, among others. And I don’t know what’s up with all the consternation. If the people subject to deportation are such great contributors, don’t we need them in Mexico? Or don’t they need them back in Haiti? Especially since many of them would have picked up a little English. I know that where I live in Mexico City our management has a tough time recruiting really good bilingual employees…there’s just not enough to go around. Unless of course they weren’t sending their best . . .
What are “partens” where you wish to send children? Also, what are “illeals” that you wish to send to Mexico?
Some people shouldn’t contribute while under the influence…
You missed the point. It’s to support immigrants to notify their families and Mexican consulate. Not to notify the police…read the article again.
The Mexican consulate is useless. But this .might be useful to let relatives know.
From experience?
Excellent! 👍
Nowhere in this article or in the comments is there any mention of the MEXICAN cartels and how they are primarily to blame for the illegal migration to the USA as well as drug smuggling, sex trafficking and countless other related crimes.
My advice to Scheinbaum and Trump is to join together to permanently eliminate the cartels, something that Mexico can’t,or won’t do on its own. This would ensure security for Mexico and border security for United States. Once this is done, then Congress will need to pass immigration legislation.
Once President Donald Trump takes office, ICE will begin identifying and deporting criminal illegals. I seriously doubt that the majority of llegal migrants will be immediately deported.
Orangemanbad and Tom Homan have repeately stated that criminals are at the top of their deportation list. Hard to imagine that anyone would not think this is a good thing. Further down their list are the “hardworking and honest” undocumented and low skilled who suppress American low skilled wages, mostly to the benefit of big business. I personally benefit from lots of low-skilled labor around, but I put Americans in America first, just as I put Mexicans in Mexico first, Haitians in Haiti first etc.
A very logical set of positions, Mr. J. If everyone thought this way, our world would make much more sense.
The global price for labor is going substantially higher. If your own a business that depends on cheap labor, you’re going to get crushed.
And how many “white” looking people do you see working in the fields, sorting plants etc? You can’t get white people to do the work, hence migrant workers
If you’re in the US illegally, it’s time to get out. You will be found and deported.
As Sheinbaulm has stated, if push comes to shove, she will depart approximately 2 million Americans who are living illegaly in Mexico…
Deporting migrant workers is going to have very serious consequences for US farmers–and the consumers who would like to eat the crops they grow. A few years ago, the migrant farm workers in Alabama were exported elsewhere–and the crops went unpicked and cost the state’s economy $4 billion. In Washington State ads in Seattle area offered $20/hour to pick the apple crop, and nobody came that season, and the apples fell to the ground. I’m hopeful somebody in the new cabinet has more sense and intelligence than Trump.
There’s another very evil factor at play, too. Whatever happened to the thousands of children separated from their parents at the border crossings 2-3 years ago? In 2019, acquaintances from Tuscon told this ominous story–a friend of their teenage son got a temporary job–and he was sworn to secrecy for this task but no thinking person could keep this secret. The job was to weld iron shackles to the floor of train cars. This was in the “undeckared” military zone south of Tucson. Who is the government planning to shackle like cattle and move to where??
You are conflating migrant workers with illegals but they are not the same, and not every migrant picks crops for a living. I have not heard even once anyone talk about deporting legal migrant workers. And there is no labor shortage in the US. There’s three generations of baby momma and baby daddy welfare experts (and their caretakers) in the US, draining resources of the population, including migrant workers at all skill levels. Get the welfare class picking apples and that would solve a bunch of problems, including the “need” for illegals.
Well said
Another viewpoint:
You might not be the best & brightest when your own country provides you with an app to help you stay in another country.
Also for the app to work it has to know your location and all of your relatives you want to notify…. Sooo how long will it take ICE to access detainees apps and even the database of the app? 🤔🤔
what are you saying?!? They’re not sending their best? 😂
Read the article again…you have it wrong…
Darrellj, please crawl back under that rock from where you came – or better yet, just move out of Mexico.
My friend, Tina, was deported in from the Atlanta area in October 2017 (How was she caught? Profiled by the Sheriff at night.. failure to use her turn signal at a stop sign). She left behind two daughters, a grandson, and lots of extended family and friends that miss her terribly. But now she is taking care of her parents and working hard to create a new life. At the time, I told her she may be the first of many who will follow her, probably by choice. There are other places to take family values and hard work if this country rejects it.
Yes, she over-stayed her visa years ago. It was her choice and so this pain is somewhat her fault, but we have a choice too. For the purpose of what do we reject our neighbors like Tina? She paid her taxes and took no government services. She worked 6 days a week for the last twelve years and raised two successful daughters. Her extensive connections and friends were and are a testament to the kind of person she was and the gratitude we all shared by her friendship
Illegal is Illegal. The root of the problem is to blame both sides. US for allowing it to happen, Mexico for allowing it to happen via allowing Illegal Emigrants into Mexico and allowing them to march to the border. US gained some lower cost labor, Mexico gained with remittance. There are plenty of Legal Immigrants in USA and there are plenty being granted legalized citizenship everyday. I think what we will find is the Mexico is not a problem source of Illegal emigrants, it is China, Haiti, Guatemala, El Salvador, etc. Mexico’s Citizens and USA Citizens get along pretty darn good. Most Americans have high regard for Mexico and its culture, its love for family and the work ethic. I think this site needs to take a step back and promote the Good between USA and Mexico.
I often wonder why no one is addressing the process of gaining legal work status in the USA. It is broken. In order to make everyone the USA needs to migrate legal, we need to enforce the laws. Otherwise there would be no incentive to participate legally. However, first we need to fix the department of immigration. Give the process some time.
About The Emergency Panic Button Initiative.
There is so much in this thread that it is impossible to address many important topics and opinions, so I will only focus on the original “Emergency Panic Button.” While its intent appears legitimate, it questions its practicality and effectiveness. Based on personal experiences, it may be another example of ineffective governance masked as innovation and real concern for Mexicans abroad.
Two Personal Stories of Inefficiency
1. Renewing a Passport: After the pandemic, I needed to renew my Mexican passport at the Chicago consulate. After a series of frustrating, 30 to 45-minute calls answered by automated responses/options, I was redirected to the Mexico government website. Resolving the issue took weeks, and only through a personal connection did I finally secured an appointment. Even then, the process took hours of waiting in line at the consulate in Chicago.
2. Vehicle Retrieval: My brother in Mexico faced a three-month ordeal of recovering a truck impounded after a minor accident. Each government office added delays and expenses, with systemic inefficiency that thrives on bureaucracy. It was a typical shakedown by each government department and person involved (all pretending to help). The extended storage added thousands of pesos to the bill.
A Rigged System
These experiences highlight a pervasive culture of ineptitude and corruption. While presented as a solution, the Emergency Panic Button is another symbolic gesture—a system that may assist a select few for public relations but leaves the majority without support. It will only count the number of people that press the “me too” alarm. It’s a sadistic lifeboat without an oar.
Looking Forward
I love Mexico and the U.S., and I share these reflections with hesitation. Real change requires addressing systemic issues, from bureaucratic inefficiency to the pervasive shake-downs of cartels in industries and small businesses nationwide. While Americans living in Mexico may remain largely unaffected or misinformed about these challenges, the delays and misinformation Mexicans face are systemic. Unfortunately, they often experience the entrenched shake-downs that are part of daily life in Mexico.
Let’s get informed by talking to Mexicans at all business levels and raising our voices to help create actual initiatives that bring reform rather than adding another layer of political promotion. Mexico needs to get rid of the cartels before anything else. Every tourist destination is plagued by extortionists, cartels, drug dealers, and corrupt officials looking the other way while “getting their cut”
Ask a Mexican friend. They will share what they know. Cartels shake-down businesses everywhere in Mexico; they learned it’s easy and largely unchecked by authorities.
May 2025 bring a real effort to clean up both sides of the border.