The dream of reaching the United States has taken a drastic turn for many migrants in northern Mexico.

With Donald Trump back in the White House and strict immigration policies in place, thousands who once hoped to cross the border are now stuck in limbo.

Many are forced to beg on the streets, while opportunistic locals charge exorbitant fees for basic necessities.

Families Left in Uncertainty

Erick López and his family are among those who embarked on the long journey north, leaving their home in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, in hopes of a better life.

But instead of reaching the U.S., they find themselves stranded in Torreón, over 300 miles from the border.

Initially, they planned to cross into the U.S., but as immigration policies tightened, López decided it was safer to stay put.

With his wife and three children in tow, he now spends his days on the streets with his two eldest children, relying on the kindness of strangers for financial support.

Meanwhile, his wife and their baby have found temporary refuge in a vacant home in Gómez Palacio, where the absent owner allows them to stay.

Local Support Dwindles

Not only has the number of migrants decreased, but resources meant to help them are also going unused.

Irma Valles, who works at a soup kitchen in the area, has noticed a significant drop in those coming in for meals.

Unfortunately, rather than receiving help, many migrants are being exploited.

Some locals are charging as much as $1.50 just to let them charge their phones and up to $2.50 for a shower.

The financial burden adds to their already dire situation, making survival even more difficult.

Migration Numbers Plummet

The entire region of Comarca Lagunera, which spans parts of Coahuila and Durango, has seen a drastic reduction in migrants passing through.

According to reports, migrant traffic has fallen by 95 to 97 percent compared to previous years.

Raul Meraz, undersecretary for the region, recalled that at the start of 2024, officials would encounter groups of up to 800 migrants at a time.

However, since Trump’s return to office, those numbers have dwindled.

The largest recorded group in December, just after Trump’s election victory, consisted of only 120 migrants.

That group was found at an abandoned train station in Gómez Palacio and received aid from government agencies.

Fear of Detention Grows

Shelters that once provided temporary relief to migrants are now seeing fewer occupants.

Maria Martínez, who runs the Jesus Torres Fraire Day Center for Migrants in Torreón, explained that many are now too afraid to seek shelter, fearing detention by Mexico’s National Guard.

Instead, migrants are exploring legal pathways to remain in Mexico.

“The migratory flow is changing,” Martínez observed.

“If we have eight migrants in our shelter, others have none. It makes you wonder—why do people keep leaving their countries despite the risks?”

Border Crossings Decline

Recent data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection reflects the shifting migration patterns.

In the last month alone, border patrol recorded 61,465 interdictions of migrants attempting to cross, a steep drop from the 96,048 incidents in December 2024.

Before Trump resumed office, an estimated 2,000 migrant apprehensions occurred daily.

Since his return, that number has fallen to around 786 per day, signaling a significant decline in attempts to cross illegally.

Deported and Sent Back

The crackdown doesn’t stop at border enforcement.

According to Mexico’s National Institute of Migration, the U.S. has deported 12,254 Mexicans and 3,334 migrants of other nationalities since Trump’s return to power.

With tougher border policies, dwindling resources, and an uncertain future, many migrants are left wondering what comes next.

As they navigate an increasingly hostile environment, their dreams of a better life remain just out of reach.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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