A small shop across from the El Chaparral Port of Entry has become a source of hope for dozens of Mexicans deported from the United States. This is "New Beginning Ministries," an organization dedicated to helping deportees find hope while rebuilding their lives in their home country.

Its founder, Milton Equigua, and his wife began this project after experiencing firsthand what it means to be deported from the United States, an ordeal they faced in 2013. Milton recalls returning to his country without speaking Spanish well and facing the challenges that deportees often endure, who frequently don’t know the country in which they were born.

"I was deported in 2013 and I managed to build a life in Mexico. We encourage deportees by telling them that there is life in Tijuana, that there is work, and that they can start a new life here in Mexico. We just support them; if they need housing, we have a church where they can stay, or we inform them on how to return to their homeland," he explained.

Equigua mentioned that one of the main supports they provide to deportees is as simple as allowing them to make a phone call to their relatives, which helps them adapt to life in Tijuana.  

"We help with information, with phone calls so they can contact their families. For example, this young man, José Guadalupe, was just deported, and by simply calling his family, he feels better. We guide them so they can meet their family members here. We believe that after January 20, when Trump takes office, there will be more deportees who will need support," he added.

The founder of "New Beginning Ministries" noted that, although they don’t have much in resources, they will continue this noble work, as with Trump’s arrival, many more Mexicans will need help.

José Guadalupe Espinoza Estrada, after living his entire life in the United States, was deported on the night of Tuesday, January 14, without money, identification, or any documents confirming his Mexican nationality. He arrived in Tijuana with only the clothes he was wearing. He was transferred by National Migration Institute officials to the "Embajadores de Jesús" shelter, where he spent his first night.

You might also be interested in its Spanish version: “Ministerio del Nuevo Comienzo” apoya a decenas de deportados a iniciar una vida en México

On the morning of Thursday, January 16, José Guadalupe returned to the El Chaparral Port of Entry. "The ‘migra’ doesn’t care if you have money or not, they just throw you here (to Tijuana)," he said, still disoriented from returning to the country of his birth, but one he didn’t know well. He explained that he came back to this border point because he saw a sign offering help to find work.

"They treated me like a criminal, like I had killed someone. It’s a bit hard. I had a warrant for driving without a license. I couldn’t get a license because I didn’t have papers and I needed to work. The police stopped me, didn’t give me a ticket, and sent me straight to jail. Then immigration transferred me to a federal prison, where I spent seven months," José Guadalupe recounted.

He says that, after his deportation, they just "threw him" to Tijuana. "New Beginning Ministries" is now helping him recover from this harsh blow.

"They don’t care if you have money or not, they just throw you here (to Tijuana)," he repeated.

Originally from Chalco, State of Mexico, José Guadalupe says he has family, but he doesn’t know them since he lived his whole life in the United States. Now, he only hopes to find work in Tijuana and start a new life.

As in the case of José Guadalupe, state, federal, and municipal authorities anticipate a mass deportation of hundreds of Mexicans through the El Chaparral Port of Entry.