Mexican App Will Allow Migrants to Hit ‘Panic Button’ on US Detentions [Video]

Mexico is testing a new app designed to assist migrants who fear imminent detention by U.S. immigration authorities as it allows users to hit a “panic button” to alert their relatives and local consulates.

Newsweek has reached out to Mexico’s foreign affairs ministry and Trump’s transition team via email for comment on Sunday morning.

Why It Matters

Immigration and border security have been key issues in recent years as the U.S. experiences heightened levels of migrant border crossings. There were more than 2.4 million encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border during the 2023 fiscal year, up from roughly 1.7 million in 2021, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data.

The app comes as the incoming administration gears up to enact a hardline immigration agenda, in which President-elect Donald Trump has campaigned on this election cycle, including stricter border controls and mass deportations.

However, Trump’s immigration policies have also drawn sharp criticism from human rights …