MIGRATION CRISIS: A CALL FOR EMPATHY

The migration crisis, exacerbated by U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, demands empathy and decisive action, according to Lorena Rodríguez León, dean of the Faculty of Economics at UNAM.

Speaking at the forum “The Trump 2.0 Impact on Mexico,” she stressed the urgent need to address the consequences of these policies, widely criticized as xenophobic, which impact millions of migrants, including Mexican nationals.

The event, organized by UNAM’s Faculty of Economics, examined the effects of the president’s economic and social strategies, such as tariffs imposed on countries that do not comply with U.S. immigration measures. These measures, aimed at reinforcing his political stance among his electoral base, rely on economic pressure to shape migration policies.

During a panel on migration, Professor Laura Vázquez Maggio noted that women make up nearly 48% of the world’s 281 million migrants, highlighting the increasing feminization of migration. In the United States, the migrant population reaches 50 million, 11 million Mexican. Many lack legal documentation and endure precarious working conditions in industries such as construction, agriculture, and services.

Professor Isabel Osorio Caballero, also from the Faculty of Economics, explained that most Mexican migrants in the U.S. are low-skilled workers seeking better opportunities or sending remittances to support families in states like Jalisco, Michoacán, and Guanajuato. These financial contributions, crucial to their home communities, are often underestimated in official records.

Finally, experts highlighted the economic factors driving migration and the global impact of forced displacement. With over 120 million people displaced as of 2024, migration not only reflects deep economic and social inequalities but also underscores the urgent need for inclusive and humanitarian policies.