took office last year -- was abruptly scrapped. Like many other migrants impacted by Trump's immigration crackdown, the 29-year-old Venezuelan has settled in Mexico instead -- in the border city of Tijuana that was meant to be his stepping stone to the United States. "I have had some good opportunities, and I feel comfortable in Mexico", Garcia, who works as a real estate agent, told AFP. "I wouldn't start from scratch again" in the US, which is separated from Tijuana by a heavily-monitored metal border fence 18 to 30 feet (5.5-9.1 meters) high. Trump swept back into power on an anti-immigration platform and wants to put it front and center again for next week's US midterm legislative elections, boasting of "zero illegal immigrants" crossing from Mexico after he essentially closed off the southern border. He ordered the shutdown of the US Customs and Border Protection's mobile app, CBP One, that scheduled appointments for asylum seekers and other applicants. In January 2025, CBP One had 270,000 open cases, including 30,000 for applicants seeking a legal pathway from Mexico into the US. Among them were Garcia and his brother. The cancellation of all pending appointments stunned migrants who had gathered in Tijuana. "We thought, 'We can't do it right now, but maybe in a few months'", Garcia recalled. For many, Mexico became their home. And Garcia has no plans to pull stakes and cross illegally, even if Trump's Republican Party loses the presidency in 2028. "They're asking for $10,000", he said, referring to human smugglers -- often called coyotes -- who charge vast sums to help migrants enter the US. "I'd rather invest that money in something" in Tijuana, Garcia said. (Bssnews)