Reporter

Alexandra Mendoza

Alexandra Mendoza covers immigration, the border and Baja California for The San Diego Union-Tribune. She first joined the Union-Tribune in 2019 as a reporter for U-T en Español and before that she reported for various news outlets in Mexico and the United States.

San Diego Catholic Bishop Michael Pham speaks about a pilot program called Faithful Accompaniment in Trust & Hope at the San Diego Pastoral Center on Monday. The interfaith program will have religious leaders and volunteers join immigrants and asylum seekers during court hearings. (Ana Ramirez / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

California religious leaders launch effort to accompany immigrants to court amid Trump crackdown

August 8, 2025 at 4:57 a.m.

The pilot program will last through at least the end of the month.

Cargo vehicles arrive at the inspection point to enter to Mexico on Jan. 31, 2025, in San Diego. (Francisco Vega/Getty Images/TNS)

A DACA recipient accidentally drove into Mexico. Now he’s being fast-tracked for deportation

July 29, 2025 at 1:30 p.m.

He also alleges an officer at the port of entry demanded a bribe.

Rocío Ramos looks from a doorway in her home on May 19 in Tijuana. The El Salvadorian family had planned to seek asylum in the United States, but on the day of their CBP One appointment a winter storm washed out the road making it impassable. They now have started a new life in Tijuana. (Ana Ramirez / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

‘What if we stay in Mexico?’ With chances in the US dashed, migrants make new lives south of border

July 15, 2025 at 11:44 a.m.

The Trump administration has essentially closed legal avenues to seek asylum in the U.S.

Morning activities at Juventud 2000 Shelter in Zona Norte on Thursday in Tijuana. While this and other shelters primarily house migrants waiting to enter the U.S., Mexico plans to open new shelters for deportees expected under the Trump administration. (Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Mexico has a plan for Trump’s deportation promises — on both sides of the border

December 31, 2024 at 10:22 a.m.

The plan includes opening new shelters for deportees in Baja California and creating an app to notify consulates in the U.S. of impending detention.

‘We are very scared’: Fear grips migrant families on both sides of the border over Trump deportations

November 11, 2024 at 11:09 a.m.

Many still hold out hope of gaining asylum, but they know a future in the U.S. is uncertain.

Pete Cerep, 37, looks at documents he found at the U.S.-Mexico border wall as a Border Patrol vehicle drives nearby on Tuesday in Jacumba Hot Springs. Cerep has lived in the area just under two years and said he didn’t know the area was used by migrants to enter into the United States until moving there. (Ana Ramirez/The San Diego Union-Tribune/TNS)

Campaign rhetoric around US-Mexico border is extreme. Living there is a lot more nuanced

October 30, 2024 at 12:48 p.m.

Border residents from San Ysidro to Jacumba Hot Springs vary on their opinions about immigration, though many view Tijuana River smell and wait times as more serious problems

Vehicles in line at the San Ysidro Port of Entry on Thursday, June 20 in Tijuana. (Alejandro Tamayo / U-T file)

California-Mexico ports of entry to pause for 9/11 moment of silence

September 10, 2024 at 3:15 p.m.

The remembrance is slated for 5:46 a.m. Wednesday at the San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, Tecate, Calexico and Andrade ports of entry

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