The United States has deported close to 2,300 Mexicans to Guatemala and sent a few to Honduras this year, as per official figures, marking a change from the early stages of President Donald Trump’s second term when such deportations were rare. Previously, only a small number of Mexicans were sent to countries other than Mexico due to the non-refoulement principle in U.S. immigration law and international treaties, which prohibits returning migrants to places where their rights could be at risk.
The Mexican National Migration Institute confirmed that Mexicans have been deported by the Trump administration to Guatemala and Honduras, predominantly since April, and then transported by bus to southern Mexico. The Mexican Foreign Ministry expressed its opposition to this practice to U.S. authorities, emphasizing every Mexican citizen’s right to enter the U.S.
The flow of migrants through Mexico to the southern U.S. border has led to tensions between the nations. President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration in Mexico has protested the deaths of 17 Mexicans in U.S. immigration custody. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, responsible for immigration enforcement, stated that the administration is implementing all legal options for the largest deportation operation, as promised by President Trump.
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo confirmed that 2,284 deported Mexicans have arrived in Guatemala this year as a transit stop before being taken to Mexico in an arrangement with the Mexican government. Similarly, Honduran authorities did not comment, but records show that 82 Mexicans arrived in San Pedro Sula on two flights in August, with 35 more arriving later. The website Third Country Deportation Watch reported 165 Mexicans deported to Honduras between May and mid-July.
Immigration lawyers suspect the Trump administration is using third-country deportations as a tactic to indirectly pressure asylum seekers to return to Mexico. This move aims to compel the Mexican government to restrict border crossings. At the start of his second term, Trump made agreements with several countries to serve as transit points for migrants expelled from the U.S.
The U.S. recently initiated deportations to Haiti and Liberia following legal battles. The Supreme Court allowed the end of the temporary protected status for Haitians and Syrians, affecting residents from multiple countries. Activists have raised concerns about the safety and resources in Haiti for deportees due to widespread violence and poverty. In Liberia, deportees from various regions have arrived, with the option to seek asylum if desired.
The U.S. State Department emphasized its commitment to curbing illegal immigration and enhancing border security.
