Program to provide additional services
By Sandra Dibble
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

April 1, 2008

TIJUANA – Mexicans who are deported from the United States or leave voluntarily after being apprehended are being offered free trips back to their hometowns under a pilot program launched yesterday.


AdvertisementThe Tijuana program, dubbed Humanitarian Repatriation, will also ensure that returning Mexicans receive shelter, food, emergency medical care and temporary employment upon their return to Mexico. President Felipe Calderón announced the program in December, and federal officials hope to expand it to other communities along Mexico's northern border.
Ten Mexican federal immigration agents trained to work with returning migrants have been assigned to Tijuana under the program. The agents will assess the returnees' psychological health and help them contact family and obtain identification papers.

Mexico's federal government has not allocated additional funds for the program, but by shifting around existing resources as well as coordinating efforts among government agencies, religious organizations and nonprofit groups, officials say they hope to step up support for Mexicans who are forced to return.

“We're joining together talents, resources, energy,â€