Mexico Rejects US Request to Detain Migrants During Traffic Stops

Mexico City (ANTARA) - Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Thursday rejected the latest request from US President Donald Trump to continue detaining immigrants during traffic checks.

At her daily press conference, Sheinbaum said there are currently no planned meetings or telephone talks with Trump.

However, she added that at the appropriate time, she would raise the deaths of dozens of Mexican nationals during Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations and in detention centres.

She called for respect for the human rights of migrants and said a distinction must be drawn between people with criminal records and those facing administrative issues related to their immigration status.

“If someone has committed a criminal act, that person must go through the legal process. However, unlawful immigration status should not be treated as a criminal offence,” Sheinbaum said.

She added that deportations carried out on immigration grounds must continue to respect human rights.

Sheinbaum also confirmed that a Mexican national who was killed in an immigration operation after being struck by a truck while attempting to flee has been identified, without providing further details.

She added that Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco had spoken with US Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson and several other State Department officials regarding the legal measures taken by Mexico and the reasons behind them.