Migrants in Crisis: UNAM Provides Emotional and Legal Aid

The migration experience often entails profound emotional challenges, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress, as noted by María Elena Medina-Mora Icaza, Coordinator of the Mental Health Department at UNAM’s Acción Migrante. This digital tool, developed in collaboration with various agencies, offers legal and psychological assistance to individuals affected by recent immigration policies.

The program focuses on three primary groups: undocumented migrants in the U.S., individuals in transit or deported to Mexico, and first responders—such as consular staff and volunteers—who experience emotional burnout due to the demands of their work. “It is crucial to seek help as soon as possible to prevent emotional distress from escalating,” Medina-Mora emphasized.

The platform includes an anonymous mental health questionnaire to detect early warning signs. If emotional difficulties are identified, users can request professional assistance remotely via electronic devices, making support accessible to those who, due to fear or legal restrictions, may be reluctant to seek in-person help.

All assessments stay confidential to keep migrants safe. Staff request personal details only if professional care becomes necessary, ensuring complete privacy and security.

In just one month, 37,600 people were expelled from the U.S., with 14,500 transferred to Mexico. As one Congolese migrant expressed, “Despite everything you built, they send you back empty-handed. That’s what tears me apart.”