The iron wall that divides Mexico from the United States became the canvas for a protest filled with pain and indignation. Activists and leaders of civil organizations in Tijuana raised their voices against what they describe as a “migrant hunt” that is claiming Mexican lives on U.S. soil, marking the beginning of 2026, which is already shaping up to be the deadliest year for the migrant community in decades. With large banners and slogans directed at both the White House and the National Palace, the protesters denounced the brutality of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. The tense atmosphere reached its peak when activists set fire to a pinata representing an ICE agent. The flames, according to the organizers, symbolize total rejection of the violent operations that have recently been documented in various states across the United States. The demonstration was led by members of various collectives that work to support and assist people in the context of migration along the northern border. Among them were Jose Maria Garcia Lara, director of the Movimiento Juventud 2000 shelter; Sergio Tamai, of Angeles Sin Fronteras; and Hugo Castro, of SOS Migrantes, who all agreed on the need to raise awareness of a problem that, they say, has worsened in recent months. Garcia Lara explained that the banners were made collectively and aim to reflect a united stance against the conditions in which Mexican nationals are detained during operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to the activist, violent practices and alleged abuses of authority have been documented in several cases, endangering the safety and lives of migrants. This mobilization comes just two weeks after the death of a Mexican man in ICE custody in Georgia raised diplomatic concerns.The Mexican Foreign Ministry has already requested a thorough investigation to clarify the circumstances of this death, which adds to a growing list of tragic events. According to reports from binational organizations, the number of migrants who have lost their lives at the hands of U.S. authorities has reached levels not seen in more than 20 years. For activists on the border, the message is clear: as long as there are no protocols guaranteeing human rights, the wall will remain a silent witness to a humanitarian tragedy that seems to have no end.