The U.S. has expelled almost 2,300 Mexicans to Guatemala and sent a few dozen to Honduras this year, as per official records, marking a change from the early part of President Donald Trump’s second term when such deportations were rare. Historically, only a small number of Mexicans were removed from the U.S. to countries other than Mexico, as the U.S. adhered to the principle of non-refoulement in both national immigration law and international agreements, which prohibits sending migrants back to countries where their rights could be at risk.
Mexico’s National Migration Institute confirmed that Mexicans have been deported to Guatemala and Honduras by the Trump administration since April, and then transported by bus to southern Mexico. The Mexican government has expressed disapproval of this practice to U.S. authorities, reiterating that every Mexican citizen has the right to enter the U.S.
The flow of migrants through Mexico and across the southern U.S. border has often caused tensions between the countries. During Trump’s second term, the Mexican government has protested against the deaths of 17 Mexicans in U.S. immigration custody or enforcement actions.
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo revealed that 2,284 deported Mexicans from the U.S. have transited through Guatemala this year before being sent to Mexico under an agreement with the Mexican government. Similarly, official documents show that 82 Mexicans arrived in Honduras on flights in August, with more arrivals later.
Immigration lawyers suspect that the U.S. is utilizing deportations to third countries as a legal tactic to indirectly pressure asylum seekers to return to Mexico when direct deportation is not possible due to court orders recognizing the risks. The Trump administration reached agreements with several countries to act as transit points for migrants expelled from the U.S.
In a related development, the U.S. deported individuals to Haiti for the first time after a legal victory at the Supreme Court. Additionally, Liberia accepted deportees who were not from that country under an agreement with the U.S. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to end temporary protected status for Haitians and Syrians may impact residents from other countries who received TPS protections.
Activists have raised concerns about deporting individuals to Haiti, citing the country’s dangerous conditions and limited resources. Haiti has been grappling with high levels of violence, poverty, and hunger, with significant portions of its population requiring humanitarian aid. In Liberia, deportees from the U.S. have arrived and may seek asylum in the country if desired.
The U.S. State Department emphasized its commitment to curbing illegal immigration and enhancing border security.
