Migration at the center of US-Mexico relations: can a collaboration process take place?


There is much talk about what Trump could do with his anti-immigration policy, especially about those coming from Central America and Mexico. Therefore, the words of Claudia Sheinbaum, the new President of Mexico, who yesterday highlighted on her social network X account that “We had a very cordial call with President-elect Donald Trump in which we talked about the good relationship that will exist between Mexico and the United States”, were encouraging and positively surprising.

Indeed, as reported by several news agencies, the President of Mexico informed that she had a “cordial” phone call with the President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, in which both talked about the “good relationship” they hope to maintain between the two countries when the newly elected Republican takes office for a second term, starting on January 20, 2025.

According to Xinhua, which was present at Claudia’s morning press conference, the Mexican president assured that there is dialogue with the United States and with Trump specifically on issues such as migration.

“There is dialogue with the United States and with President Trump. And if there is a problem, we will know how to solve it,”

Sheinbaum responded to an express question about Trump’s statements on the migration issue and his threat launched on the last day of his campaign to apply a 25 percent tariff to Mexico if he does not stop the entry of migrants at the border.

“We are prepared, Mexico is solid in the face of these issues, we Mexicans will always be united, and we will face the problems that may arise,” he stressed.

She added that “with dialogue, we hope that, on the contrary, it will be a collaborative process; and if not, we will face it, we are prepared for it and with great unity”.

Sheinbaum pointed out that since the last administration Mexico has been carrying out a comprehensive strategy to stop the migration of Central Americans to the United States, which, “in 2024 allowed a 75 percent decrease in the arrival of migrants to the northern border.”

“Remember that Mexico continues to invest and we will continue to do so, as, for example, in Central America, supporting more than investing, supporting young people so that they do not have to leave their places of origin,” said the Mexican president from the National Palace in Mexico City.

Pía Figueroa