Ángel Luis Meléndez, a Cuban migrant who lived in the United States for four years, finds himself in a precarious situation after being expelled by U.S. immigration authorities and handed over to Mexican immigration forces. Despite the Mexican government's public insistence that it has not agreed to accept deportees of other nationalities, Meléndez was sent to Mexico. His story, as reported by Univision, details a sudden and distressing process that began with the rejection of his political asylum request.
After spending 25 days detained at a facility known as Alligator Alcatraz, Meléndez was transported from El Paso, Texas, to a border location where, according to his account, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers handed him directly to Mexican authorities. "They hand you over to the Mexican side, they're waiting for you there," Meléndez stated. Once in Mexico, he was detained for entering without legal status.
Mexican immigration officials took Meléndez to Chihuahua, where he was held for three days before being released. However, his current situation remains uncertain: he lacks valid documentation and has not been officially recognized as a refugee or asylum seeker, leaving him, in his words, "in a legal limbo."
Discrete Deportation with No Guarantees
The conditions Meléndez faced at the Alligator Alcatraz detention center were described as "hellish." He claims he had never been deprived of his freedom before and that his time at the Everglades facility left a significant emotional impact. Faced with his new reality, he is considering applying for political asylum in Mexico, although he has not yet formally begun that process.
Meléndez is not alone in this situation. His partner noted that other Cubans have experienced similar fates, including a woman whose husband was deported to Villahermosa, Mexico, still wearing the prison uniform from his U.S. detention.
Mexico Denies "Safe Third Country" Status
The migrant's account contrasts with statements from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who on June 24 firmly denied that Mexico has signed any agreement with the U.S. to become a "safe third country" for managing immigration policy. "Mexico has not signed anything of that sort," Sheinbaum declared during her regular morning briefing. When asked if her government was considering such an agreement in the future, she responded decisively: "No."
Sheinbaum explained that in cases where foreigners enter Mexico for humanitarian reasons, the country operates under principles of respecting human rights. The Mexican authorities, she said, first verify if the migrants wish to return to their country of origin; if not, they seek alternatives for their temporary stay in Mexico.
Official data indicates that from January 20, 2025—when Donald Trump resumed the presidency of the United States—until the end of June, over 651,000 people have entered Mexico, of which 5,728 are foreigners. However, the specific nationalities within this group have not been publicly disclosed.
NGO Complaints and Direct Repatriations
Non-governmental organizations have reported an increase in human rights violations due to the use of the Mexican National Guard in immigration control duties. Meanwhile, Sheinbaum emphasized that the U.S. maintains direct repatriation agreements with various countries, theoretically eliminating the need to hand over foreigners to Mexico for subsequent return.
She even mentioned that Washington has repatriated migrants "as far as Africa" without requiring Mexican mediation, questioning the practice of expelling Cubans and leaving them in Mexican territory without a clear legal basis. Amid these diplomatic contradictions and murky procedures, Ángel Luis Meléndez remains stranded in Mexico, with few clear options and no defined legal path forward.
Understanding the Legal Implications of U.S.-Mexico Deportations
What is the legal status of deported Cubans in Mexico?
Deported Cubans in Mexico often find themselves without valid documentation or official recognition as refugees or asylum seekers, leaving them in a state of legal uncertainty.
Has Mexico agreed to become a "safe third country" for U.S. deportees?
No, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has denied any agreement with the U.S. to become a "safe third country" for managing immigration policy.
How has the Mexican National Guard's involvement affected immigration control?
The involvement of the Mexican National Guard has led to an increase in human rights violation reports, as noted by various NGOs.