The administration is deporting Mexican nationals to third countries like Guatemala and Honduras to deter illegal immigration.
The administration is utilizing all lawful options to carry out the largest deportation operation in history by sending nearly 2,300 Mexican nationals to Guatemala and dozens more to Honduras this year. While Mexico has historically accepted all its deported citizens, the administration is now using these third-country transfers as a punitive measure to prevent migrants from crossing back into U.S. territory. Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo confirmed that the 2,284 Mexicans deported from the U.S. are arriving in a "transit stopover" before being returned to Mexico within 24 hours. The Mexican government has expressed opposition to this practice, reiterating that every Mexican citizen has the right to enter the country. Immigration experts suggest this tactic serves as a deterrent, broadcasting the hardship of remaining undocumented in the United States. While the administration has expanded agreements with allied Latin American countries to conduct joint operations, Mexico continues to coordinate with the countries involved to ensure the safe return of its citizens.
Sources
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More than 2,300 Mexicans sent to Guatemala and Honduras as Trump ramps up third-country deportations
AP News
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Strangers in their own land: Mexicans deported from Trump’s America find refuge in ‘Little LA’
The Guardian
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U.S. quietly deporting Mexican migrants to Guatemala and Honduras, angering Mexico
CBS News
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US deports nearly 2,300 Mexicans to Guatemala over Mexico’s objections
Al Jazeera
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Guatemala says it received nearly 2,300 US-deported Mexicans
DW.com