US Migrant Deportation Flights Arrive In Guatemala: A Closer Look

Two United States military planes carrying deported migrants arrived in Guatemala on Friday, according to Guatemalan authorities. The exact connection of these flights to President Donald Trump’s recently launched deportation operations remains unclear.

Migrants on Board

The first flight landed at midnight, transporting 79 Guatemalan nationals—48 men and 31 women—according to Guatemala’s migration institute. A second flight arrived on Friday morning, though officials did not disclose the number of passengers on board.

White House Announcement

In a statement released late Thursday, the White House reported that 538 “illegal immigrant criminals” had been arrested and deported, calling the operation “the largest deportation campaign in history.” However, Guatemalan authorities have not confirmed if any individuals from the Thursday announcement were part of Friday’s arrivals.

Official Remarks

An official from Guatemala’s vice president’s office stated, “These flights took place after President Trump’s return to office,” emphasizing the administration’s renewed focus on immigration enforcement. A Pentagon source further confirmed the role of the Department of Defense (DOD) in repatriation efforts, noting that two military aircraft conducted the deportation flights overnight.

Images Spark Reactions

Early Friday, the White House posted an image on X (formerly Twitter), showing men in shackles boarding a military aircraft. The caption read, “Deportation flights have begun,” underscoring the administration’s strict stance on immigration policies.

Comparing Past and Present Administrations

While deportation flights also occurred under President Joe Biden, his administration deported 270,000 individuals in fiscal year 2023—more than during any year of Trump’s first presidency. The current wave of deportations under Trump’s leadership signals an even more aggressive approach to immigration reform.

Reception in Guatemala

The deportees arriving on Friday were transported to a reception center at an air force base in Guatemala City. Media access to the facility was restricted, preventing further documentation of the arrivals.

Trump’s Immigration Policies: An Overview

President Trump’s second term began with bold actions to address illegal immigration. On his first day back in office, he declared a national emergency at the southern border, deployed additional troops to the area, and vowed to intensify deportations of “criminal aliens.”

The administration has also reinstated the controversial “Remain in Mexico” policy, requiring migrants seeking entry into the U.S. to wait in Mexico until their applications are processed. Additionally, an asylum program for those fleeing authoritarian regimes in Central and South America has been suspended, leaving thousands stranded on the Mexican border.