Tijuana Shelter Faces Growing Demand Amid Deportation Spike

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After seeing only 741 migrants walk through their doors in August, a shelter for deported Mexican immigrants in Tijuana is reporting a sudden surge in arrivals this month.

During the first eight days in September, 595 deported Mexican nationals have been brought to the facility, according to Mónica Vega Aguirre, the shelter’s coordinator with the state of Baja California.

It was initially opened to accommodate up to 2,600 individuals as a result of President Trump’s threats to deport thousands of migrants on a daily basis.

“There were days in August when we only saw one person come in, but the first days in September have been busier, getting us back to what we’re set up to do.”

Since it began operations, it has helped 8,688 migrants:

Four days in January: 392.

February: 1,046.

March: 1,131.

April: 1,125.

May: 973.

June: 1,129.

July: 1,566.

August: 741.

First eight days in September: 595.

Vega Aguirre says the shelter has been operating without major incidents and continues to get support from local, state and federal agencies in Mexico. “We are remain open offering not only shelter, but psychological therapy, health services, help with official Mexican documentation, and we’re still providing monetary help for bus tickets, so migrants can return to their home states if they choose to.”

According to Vega Aguirre, she doesn’t know why there’s been a spike in migrant arrivals this week.