US Sends Deported Mexicans to Central America in New Tactic

The United States has expanded its deportation practices, now sending Mexican nationals to Central American countries before they are transported back to Mexico. This marks a notable shift from the earlier approach during President Donald Trump's second term, when deported Mexicans were flown almost exclusively directly to Mexico.

On Thursday, 35 Mexicans arrived in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, on a US military plane. Official Honduran documents show that 82 Mexicans arrived in the city on two flights on August 13 and 15. Separately, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo said that 2,284 Mexicans have arrived in his country this year as part of a "transit stopover."

Arévalo clarified that Guatemala is not acting as a "safe third country." "There is no permanence, there's no refuge, there is no provision that could be considered as constituting a 'safe third country,' because they pass through in transit in less than 24 hours," he said. He added that expenses are covered by the Mexican government or, in certain cases, by the US government.

Mexico's National Migration Institute confirmed that Mexicans have been deported to Guatemala and Honduras primarily since April, then bused to southern Mexico. The institute stated the reason is to prevent them from crossing back into US territory. Mexico's foreign ministry said it has expressed opposition to the practice, reiterating that every Mexican citizen has the right to enter Mexico.

The US Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that the administration "is utilizing all lawful options to carry out the largest deportation operation in history."

Advocacy groups tracking the flights say the tactic appears designed to pressure the Mexican government. Savitri Arvey of Human Rights First noted, "They really don't want any Mexicans crossing the border. We've seen them starting to not deport people by land, to fly everyone, all Mexicans, to the South of the country, to Tapachula, Villahermosa, and other cities, and now they're sending them also to Central America."

According to the website Third Country Deportation Watch, run by Human Rights First and Refugees International, another 165 Mexicans were deported to Honduras between May and mid-July.