Mexican authorities have unveiled a mobile app that allows Mexican immigrants in the US to alert relatives and instantly notify the nearest consulate if they are detained by immigration agents. The development was part of a programme to protect the rights of Mexican nationals in the US amid Trump’s plans for mass deportations.
According to Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente, the app will start working as early as January. It is not specified for which operating systems it is intended for. La Fuente said the Know Your Rights programme will have 329 legal advisers in the US at 53 Mexican consulates. The programme is designed to provide “a rapid response to potential scenarios of forced removal or other intimidating actions.”
Earlier, Trump announced his plans for mass deportation of illegal immigrants and their children who have already been granted citizenship. More than two dozen Republican governors have also said they will use “state law enforcement or the National Guard” to help with mass deportations, which has alarmed human rights groups.
De la Fuente stressed that deportation from the United States requires a court order and the consular team will be vigilant in ensuring that due process is followed. He also called on all Mexican nationals to immediately register at consulates in the United States.
De la Fuente said there are 38.4 million Mexicans living in the US today, of which 11.5 million are first-generation immigrants and 26.9 million are second or subsequent generations.
