Border Report: The Cross-Border Effort to Assist Victims of Violence

The Consul General of Mexico in San Diego and the San Diego District Attorney have joined forces to support survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, a move that aims to address the challenges faced by immigrant victims in coming forward due to concerns over deportation. This collaboration, which includes an updated agreement for cross-border support, is a response to growing concerns that the Trump administration's aggressive immigration policies and anti-immigrant rhetoric have deterred many immigrant survivors from seeking help.

In December 2025, the Alliance for Immigrant Survivors, a national network of advocates and allies, released a report revealing that approximately 70 percent of professionals working with survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking reported that immigrant survivors are hesitant to come forward because of fears related to deportation. Furthermore, more than a third of these professionals stated that survivors they worked with decided to drop cases against their abusers due to these concerns. The Mexican consulate in San Diego noted a 40 percent decrease in requests for assistance from January to July 2025, attributing this decline to fears of immigration-related consequences.

To address these issues, the Consul General of Mexico in San Diego, Ambassador Alicia Kerber Palma, and the San Diego District Attorney, Summer Stephan, recently signed an updated agreement to facilitate cross-border support for survivors. The two officials believe that involving the consulate in these efforts builds trust within immigrant communities, encouraging victims to come forward and seek the assistance they need.

On Thursday, March 26, 2026, Ambassador Alicia Kerber Palma and District Attorney Summer Stephan signed the memorandum of understanding at the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego. In a statement, Ambassador Palma emphasized that by working together, they are reducing barriers, strengthening trust, and ensuring that survivors have access to legal services, emotional support, and community resources, regardless of their country of origin or immigration status. She described the memorandum as a symbol of a strategic alliance that prioritizes the needs of people.

“This memorandum sends a clear message — ‘You are not alone,’” Ambassador Palma added. “‘We are with you, and we believe in you.’” The agreement between the consulate and the district attorney is intended to provide a safer environment for immigrant survivors, empowering them to report abuse and access the support systems in place.

This cross-border collaboration is particularly significant in light of the challenges faced by immigrant communities in the United States. The Trump administration's immigration policies have created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, making it difficult for many survivors to seek help. By working together, the consulate and the district attorney are demonstrating a commitment to addressing these issues and providing the necessary support to those who have been victims of violence.

The updated agreement between the Consul General of Mexico in San Diego and the San Diego District Attorney represents a crucial step towards building trust and ensuring that immigrant survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking are not left without the help they need. Through this strategic alliance, the two organizations are sending a powerful message to survivors: they are not alone, and they have a community that believes in them and is committed to supporting them on their path to recovery and safety.