Mexico Tests Mobile App Enabling Migrants to Alert Relatives and Consulates of Imminent U.S. Detention

Mexico is developing a mobile app that will enable migrants to alert their relatives and local consulates if they believe they are at risk of being detained by U.S. immigration authorities, a senior official announced Friday.

This initiative responds to President-elect Donald Trump’s threat to implement mass deportations after taking office on January 20.

The app has undergone small-scale testing and “appears to be working very well,” according to Juan Ramón de la Fuente, Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

He explained that the app will feature a button that, when pressed, sends an alert to designated relatives and the nearest Mexican consulate. De la Fuente described it as a kind of "panic button."

“In the event that detention seems imminent, you press the alert button, which sends a signal to the nearest consulate,” he said.

U.S. authorities are required to notify home-country consulates when a foreign national is detained. Mexico has enhanced its consular services and legal support to assist migrants with the deportation process.

De la Fuente anticipates the app will be fully launched in January. However, he did not confirm whether the app includes a deactivation feature to cancel an alert if the detention does not occur.

The Mexican government has also established a 24/7 call center to provide assistance to migrants.

According to Mexican estimates, there are 11.5 million migrants in the U.S. with some form of legal residency, and 4.8 million without legal status or proper documentation.