Sheinbaum defends Mexican migrants in the US, calls on ICE to respect ‘human dignity’

Mexico’s president called on U.S. authorities to conduct immigration proceedings within a framework that respected human dignity and their rights.

President Claudia Sheinbaum made that request from her podium during Monday morning’s news conference, while also calling on her co-nationals to lean to a more pacific, non-violent approach to making their voices heard, condemning any form of law-breaking that came as a result of the protests that broke out over the weekend.

Since Friday afternoon, mass protests have taken place across Los Angeles following Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in several neighborhoods. These actions led to many activists and community members engaging directly with agents and attempting to shield immigrants from being taken. 

Thousands of troops, including the National Guard and U.S. Marines, have been deployed to Los Angeles in an attempt by the Trump administration to quell acts of resistance.

As of Tuesday morning, more protests and community gatherings were planned in several cities.

“Mexicans living in the U.S. are women and men who are hard workers, honest… They contribute to the economy in the U.S. and Mexico,” she said, adding that the Mexican migrants are needed for the U.S. economy.

The City of Los Angeles has received many Mexican immigrants, Sheinbaum said, and for that, Mexico must always be grateful, stating once more her commitment to protecting and defending the human rights of Mexicans living abroad, regardless of their immigration status in other countries.

“Mexico’s government will continue to use all diplomatic and legal channels to express its nonconformity with practices that criminalize migration and put at risk the wellbeing of our communities in the United States,” she stated.

Sheinbaum made note of the consulate offices positioned throughout the country, which have activated additional services to Mexican nationals since  President Donald Trump took office, including an app that serves as a panic button in case someone is detained by ICE and an emergency hotline Mexican citizens can call.

On Saturday, Carlos González Gutiérrez, the Consul General of Mexico in Los Angeles, urged co-nationals to call 520-623-7874, a 24/7 hotline operated by the Information and Assistance Center for Mexicans, if they encountered ICE and are detained.

While Sheinbaum was firm in her defense of migrant rights, she said her government would continue working with the Trump administration in order to find solutions.