The Trump administration has been deporting migrants from Mexico to Guatemala and Honduras, according to two Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials who spoke to CBS News. The officials, who requested anonymity, stated that U.S. immigration authorities have been transporting deportees from Mexico to these Central American countries, rather than returning them to Mexico. This practice has been ongoing for several months, with hundreds of Mexican citizens reportedly sent to Honduras and Guatemala.
The Mexican Foreign Ministry has expressed opposition to this practice, stating, "The Government of Mexico accepts the return of all its nationals. It therefore rejects the deportation of Mexican nationals to third countries and has no such agreement in place." A DHS spokesperson noted that the administration is utilizing all lawful options for deportations, which they claim is the largest operation in history.
Historically, the U.S. has deported Mexican migrants back to Mexico, but immigration policy experts indicate that sending Mexican deportees to other countries is unprecedented. Adam Isacson, a researcher at the Washington Office on Latin America, described the action as largely punitive, aimed at deterring illegal immigration and sending a message about the consequences of remaining undocumented in the U.S. CBS News has reached out to the governments of Honduras and Guatemala for comment regarding their deportation arrangements with the U.S. but has not received a response.