Deportees From US Arrive in Cancún, Seek to Return Home

Cancún, Quintana Roo — A group of about 15 Mexican nationals deported from the United States arrived at the ADO bus terminal in Cancún late Friday, after landing at Tulum International Airport, according to accounts from the travelers.

A construction worker from Toluca said he was detained during a raid in Denver, Colorado, held for roughly 20 days and later deported. He told reporters he was beaten and mistreated while in custody.

Other deportees said they had been moved from Los Angeles and various cities in Colorado. Several said they had spent more than a year trying to resolve their immigration cases in the U.S. without success.

Although their intended final destinations were Ensenada, Acapulco, Guadalajara and Los Cabos, the group was sent to Tulum before being brought to Cancún. Some received prepaid cards loaded with 2,000 pesos but were told the money would not be available until Tuesday. Many waited at the terminal, trying to contact relatives and find a way to continue their trips.

One group of four paid up to 500 pesos for transportation to the airport. Most deportees wore gray sweatpants and hooded sweatshirts and carried only small bags containing their documents and personal items.

Several deportees said they planned to try once more to enter the United States, but would hold off until the Trump administration leaves office.

A security worker reported, without official confirmation, that up to three more groups of deportees could arrive on separate buses. Sources said human smugglers are charging between 160,000 and 300,000 pesos for a crossing, depending on conditions, with most clients coming from Asia.