The once-thriving tourist hub of Nogales, Mexico, is now facing a new reality under the Trump administration’s policies. This city in Sonora, just feet away from its Arizona counterpart, has seen a significant decrease in American visitors and an increase in deportees.
Armando Diaz, a shopkeeper catering to tourists, laments the loss of business. His family still lives in Guaymas, and he sends them money from his artesenia shop sales. However, since Trump’s policies took effect, tourism has plummeted, making it challenging for local businesses like Diaz’s to survive.
The city is now filled with buses carrying deportees who are taken to a sports complex turned into a shelter as part of the “Mexico Embraces You” program. The center is one of nine repatriation care centers in Mexico, where officials assist deportees in finding employment and social programs.
Farther from the border, Casa De La Misericordia houses migrants who still hope to cross into the U.S. despite Trump’s executive orders. Kevin Genchi, a migrant from Guerrero, has been in the shelter for two and a half months. Oscar Ledezma and his family fled Jalisco due to crime and gang violence, hoping to find safety in the United States.
Their stories are a testament to the human cost of migration and the desperation that drives individuals to seek asylum. Jesus Marcano and Yoselin Machado, from Venezuela, have been living on the streets with their children, trying to make ends meet while waiting for a chance to enter the U.S.
In contrast, Francisco Zamorano Beltran, who was deported from Idaho 15 years ago, now sells snacks from a cart. He remains hopeful of reuniting with his family in the United States but acknowledges the challenges they face due to Trump’s policies.
Monica Orozco, an employee at Green Valley Pharmacy, shares her clients’ frustration with the current situation. Recently, a client asked if she hated Americans, referencing Trump’s policies and their impact on business.
As the day comes to a close in Nogales, the atmosphere is filled with uncertainty and hope. The city’s residents are adapting to the changing circumstances, trying to survive while waiting for a better future.
Source: Court House News
