McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) — The Mexican border town of Piedras Negras is readying plans to open warehouses formerly used as maquiladoras to house deported migrants if the incoming Trump administration sends masses south of the border.
Four former industrial plants that used to produce goods could be transformed into shelters, said Amerika Garcia-Grewal, a member of the Eagle Pass Border Vigil Coalition.
“They have four former maquiladora warehouses that they are planning to house people there if they are deported to Piedras Negras. The Catholic church there is bracing themselves there for a large influx of immigrants. Mexico is preparing,” she said.
Currently, 40 to 50 people are sent back into Mexico every day and end up Frontera Digna, the largest shelter in Piedras Negras, across the border from Eagle Pass, Texas.
Vicky Cazares, who volunteers at the Catholic church-run facility, told Border Report that the shelter has about 350 migrant families to whom it gives food, shelter, toiletries and helps to school the children.
There shelters operating at other churches, and migrants are sometimes invited to stay in volunteers’ homes when space is tight, she said.
President-elect Donald Trump has promised mass deportations of undocumented migrants after he takes office on Jan. 20.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has said Mexico would not accept migrants from countries other than Mexico.
Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.