Heightened Border Security Amid Trump Inauguration

In the days leading up to Donald Trump's inauguration, US border protection officers conducted security drills at the Mexico border. These exercises involved deploying barbed wire and concrete blocks, temporarily halting traffic on a bridge between El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. The drills, which have been ongoing since 2019, are designed to prepare officers for potential incidents at the border. Residents in Ciudad Juárez noted an increase in these exercises with Trump's impending presidency.

Trump's campaign prominently featured immigration policies, including a pledge to execute the largest deportation of undocumented immigrants in US history. Ciudad Juárez remains a crucial entry point for migrants escaping hardship and is a designated spot for asylum seekers using the CBP One app to schedule appointments. Meanwhile, Tijuana declared an emergency to secure funds for managing potential deportations.

Amid these developments, Trump's administration planned substantial immigration raids, exemplified by a significant operation in Chicago. This plan included deploying 100-200 ICE officers for a week-long operation, with threats of legal action against local officials obstructing these efforts. Immigration policies were a cornerstone of Trump's political agenda, reflecting his commitment to stringent border enforcement. The Pew Research Center estimated that around four million Mexican immigrants without legal status resided in the US by 2022, emphasizing the challenge of border security and immigration regulation.