"The Mexican government does not agree with the unilateral measure implemented by the United States government," Roberto Velasco, a spokesman for Mexico's foreign ministry, said in a statement. "However ... we reiterate our commitment to migrants and human rights."
Velasco said the U.S. Embassy informed Mexican officials that 20 Central American asylum-seekers would be returned to Mexico on Friday afternoon at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the largest border crossing between San Diego and Tijuana.
At the border on Friday, no official return appeared to be underway. But other migrants who were waiting on the Mexican side for their chance to lodge asylum claims with U.S. officials said they were deeply worried about the new policy.
"It will be horrible," said a man from Cameroon who said he had been imprisoned and tortured by his government back home. He asked not to be named for fear of reprisals.