Deported gang members get second chance at call centre

Alberto Salagan's life took a dramatic turn when he was deported from the United States back to Mexico. Born in Acapulco, he moved to the US with his parents when he was just six months old. Growing up in California, he became involved in gang life, which ultimately led to his arrest in San Diego. When he was deported in January, it was the first time he had set foot in Mexico since he was a baby. Alberto described the experience as shocking, saying, 'When I got here to Mexico, I really felt lost. No family, no food, no clothes, no nothing. ' He struggled to adjust to his new reality, feeling disconnected from the country of his birth. One of the biggest challenges he faced was language; he had almost forgotten how to speak Spanish. Fortunately, he still retained enough of the language to help him find work. Through a deportee support organization, he learned that a local company, EZ Call Center, was looking for English speakers. Although the job as a telephone sales agent did not pay well, it provided him with a steady income and a sense of stability. Alberto expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating, 'I had to do something to get back on my feet. Thanks to the call centre, now I have. ' At EZ Call Center, most of the employees are deportees, including the owner, Daniel Ruiz. Daniel, who was also born in Mexico and raised in the US, understands the challenges his employees face. He was deported for a low-level drug crime in his early twenties and knows what it feels like to experience culture shock. 'We are all dealing with culture shock,' he said, acknowledging the difficulties of adjusting to life in Mexico after living in the US. The agents at EZ Call Center work diligently, making calls to clients in the US for various purposes, including sales and debt collection. They speak fluent English, and the clients on the other end of the line are often unaware that they are speaking to someone in Mexico. Daniel trusts his employees, especially those like Alberto who have a history of gang involvement but are eager to turn their lives around. He believes that they possess the discipline needed to maintain their jobs. Daniel's own experiences after deportation have influenced his business decisions. In addition to running the call center, he co-founded the Borderline Crisis Center, a humanitarian organization that provides food, shelter, and support to deportees upon their return to Mexico. The Trump Administration's focus on mass deportation has created a climate of fear among many undocumented immigrants. President Trump has promised to carry out what he calls 'the largest deportation in American history,' leading to increased raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Mexican humanitarian organizations, including the Borderline Crisis Center, prepared for a surge in deportees, but the expected influx has not materialized. Recent figures from the Mexican government indicate that the number of deportations during the first three months of Trump's second term was lower than the same period the previous year. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum reported that almost 39,000 deportees were received from February to April, with 33,000 being Mexican nationals. This is a decrease from 52,000 during the same months in 2024. The decline in deportations is partly attributed to a reduction in the number of people attempting to enter the US. The threat of mass deportation, along with military deployments at the border and high-profile deportations to countries like El Salvador, may have deterred many from trying to cross. Despite the lower numbers, deportees continue to arrive in Tijuana daily, facing hostility and challenges as they attempt to resettle in a city that can be dangerous. Companies that offer employment to deportees have become increasingly important in helping them avoid falling back into criminal behavior. In addition to EZ Call Center, the American Survey Company (ASC) also employs deportees. ASC operates around 550 call center stations in Tijuana, where agents conduct various types of calls, including election polling and customer satisfaction surveys. Nora Diaz, ASC's chief happiness officer, emphasized the company's commitment to employee well-being, stating, 'We understand everyone has a past, and we don’t judge based on that. ' This approach has been beneficial for many deportees, including Luis Luna, who faced his own struggles after being deported. Luis grew up in Orange County, California, and made poor choices as a child, which led to a life sentence in prison. While incarcerated, he took advantage of educational programs and worked hard on his rehabilitation. After being released, he was deported back to Mexico in January, just as Trump was preparing for his inauguration. Now 50 years old and covered in gang-related tattoos, Luis recognized that he had limited chances to start over. He expressed, 'I got no family over here. My family is ASC, the people I met in my employment, they’re my family and my friends. ' For Luis, the job at ASC has provided him with the stability he needs to stay away from crime. He feels accepted and supported by his colleagues, which has made a significant difference in his life. He believes that without this job, he would be struggling on the streets. As the situation regarding deportations continues to evolve, it is crucial for deportees like Alberto and Luis to have access to support and opportunities to rebuild their lives. In Tijuana, many are finding hope and a fresh start through employment at call centers.