GUATEMALA CITY — The United States has sent nearly 2,300 deported Mexicans to Guatemala this year for temporary transit before their return to Mexico, marking a shift from the early months of President Donald Trump’s second term when such transfers were rare.
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo said Wednesday that 2,284 Mexicans deported from the United States had arrived in Guatemala so far this year. Guatemalan authorities then coordinate with Mexican immigration officials to return them to Mexico within 24 hours.
Arevalo said the Mexicans arrive on flights carrying Guatemalan deportees and remain in Guatemala only as a transit stop. They do not receive refugee or asylum status, he said.
Mexico’s National Migration Institute confirmed that the Trump administration has also sent Mexicans to Guatemala and Honduras, primarily since April. Mexican authorities then transport the deportees by bus to southern Mexico.
The Mexican government has opposed the practice and said every Mexican citizen has the right to enter Mexico.
Mexico’s Foreign Ministry said Thursday that it has raised the issue with U.S. authorities and is coordinating with Guatemala and Honduras to ensure the safe return of its citizens.
The Mexican government or, in some cases, U.S. funding covers the costs of the transfers, according to Arevalo.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security defended the deportations, saying the administration is using “all lawful options” to carry out what it describes as the largest deportation operation in U.S. history.
Honduras has also received Mexican deportees. Official documents show that 82 Mexicans arrived in San Pedro Sula on Aug. 13 and 15, followed by another 35 on Thursday. A further 165 Mexicans arrived in Honduras between May and mid-July, according to Third Country Deportation Watch, which tracks U.S. deportation flights to third countries.
The transfers have drawn concern from civil organizations, which view the policy as part of broader U.S. pressure on Mexico over immigration and security cooperation.
Mexico has historically accepted deported citizens and has also received deportees from other countries under arrangements with the United States. In 2025, Mexico received about 12,000 deported foreigners, mostly Cubans and Venezuelans, according to figures previously provided by President Claudia Sheinbaum.
The latest transfers come as the Trump administration expands deportation operations and agreements with Latin American countries.
