In a departure from the early part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term, official data shows that nearly 2,300 Mexican nationals have been deported to Guatemala and several dozen to Honduras from the United States this year. Previously, the U.S. had rarely expelled Mexicans to countries other than Mexico due to the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning migrants to countries where their human rights are at risk. Mexico’s National Migration Institute confirmed that the Trump administration has deported Mexicans to Guatemala and Honduras, with Mexico expressing opposition to this practice and reaffirming Mexican citizens’ right to enter the U.S.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s government has also protested the deaths of 17 Mexicans in U.S. immigration custody. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated that the deportations are part of the largest operation in history, in line with Trump’s promises. Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo revealed that 2,284 deported Mexicans have transited through Guatemala on their way back to Mexico without asylum status.
Honduran authorities did not comment on the deportations, but official documents indicate that 82 Mexicans arrived in San Pedro Sula in August, with more arrivals in the following days. Human Rights First and Refugees International reported that 165 Mexicans were deported to Honduras between May and mid-July. Immigration lawyers believe the U.S. is using third-country deportations to pressure Mexico into accepting asylum seekers.
Under agreements made at the start of Trump’s second term, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Panama serve as intermediary or destination countries for migrants expelled from the U.S. Meanwhile, the U.S. deported individuals to Haiti for the first time following a Supreme Court ruling allowing the termination of the temporary protected status program for Haitians and Syrians. Activists have raised concerns about deporting Haitians to a country facing significant challenges such as gang violence, deep poverty, and hunger.
In Liberia, deportees from the U.S. arrived at Roberts International Airport, including African nationals and individuals from other regions. The U.S. State Department reiterated its commitment to ending illegal immigration and enhancing border security.
