Mexico is developing a mobile app designed to assist Mexican citizens residing illegally in the United States if they believe they are about to be detained by US immigration authorities. The app, called the “Alert Button,” will enable users to send immediate alerts to family members and the nearest Mexican consulate in the event of an imminent apprehension.
Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente announced the initiative during a news conference on Friday alongside President Claudia Sheinbaum. The move comes as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, having pledged to implement mass deportations of illegal immigrants once he begins his second term.
De la Fuente revealed that the app has undergone small-scale testing and “appears to be working very well.” He likened the app to a panic button, explaining, “In case you find yourself in a situation where detention is imminent, you push the alert button, and that sends a signal to the nearest consulate.”
The app is expected to be officially launched in January. In addition to the app, the Mexican government has established a 24-hour call center to address questions from migrants and offer assistance in anticipation of “possible arrests or other intimidating actions.”
“We want to tell our fellow countrymen that they are not alone and they will not be alone,” de la Fuente said.
According to the Associated Press, the Mexican government estimated that there are 11.5 million migrants with various formers of legal residency in the US, and 4.8 million lacking legal residency.
The rollout of the app comes amid elevated levels of illegal immigration into the United States over the past four years. With the incoming Trump administration signaling significant changes to border enforcement policies, migrants are taking steps to plan accordingly.
