In a recent press conference, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum voiced her concerns regarding the ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids targeting undocumented immigrants in the United States. Her comments not only highlighted the humanitarian aspect of the issue but also pointed to potential economic repercussions for both nations.
During her daily briefing on Thursday, Sheinbaum confirmed a meeting with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, where she expressed her discontent with U.S. immigration enforcement practices. This aligns her with left-wing demonstrators who have been active in cities like Los Angeles.
“We engaged in discussions about advocating for our migrant brothers and sisters,” Sheinbaum stated, emphasizing her stance against the use of raids that detain hardworking individuals. “This approach harms not just the affected individuals but the U.S. economy as well.”
Nos reunimos en Palacio Nacional con Christopher Landau, subsecretario de Estado, para conversar sobre diversos temas de la relación México-Estados Unidos. pic.twitter.com/qQXWgURJHd
— Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo (@Claudiashein) June 11, 2025
Her remarks coincided with declarations from Gerardo Fernández Noroña, the president of the Mexican Senate and a fellow member of Sheinbaum’s leftist Morena party, who made headlines by suggesting the annexation of California and other U.S. territories. Fernández Noroña’s audacious claim was rooted in a historical map from 1830, suggesting that Mexicans in the Southwest never truly left their homeland.
“I was present at Trump Tower when President-Elect Donald Trump was about to take office for the first time,” Fernández Noroña recounted. “I said, ‘yes, we’ll build the wall, yes, we’ll pay for it, but we’ll do it according to the map of Mexico from 1830.’”
BREAKING – Mexican Senate President Gerardo Fernández Noroña is now calling for Mexico to reclaim parts of the United States, citing an 1830 map, arguing that Mexicans in the Southwest never left their homeland, and saying a border wall should be built on “Mexico’s terms.” This… pic.twitter.com/B8E8dSuhke
— Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) June 11, 2025
Sheinbaum has consistently opposed Trump’s immigration policies, which disproportionately affect Mexican nationals. However, her motivation may be less ideological and more economically driven, considering the significant financial benefits that illegal immigration provides to Mexico. In 2023, as the Biden administration grappled with border challenges, Mexican migrants in the U.S. sent a remarkable $63.3 billion back to Mexico in remittances—an increase of 7.6 percent from the previous year. This financial lifeline is a stark reminder of the intricate connections between immigration and economic stability.
