US military planes carrying dozens of expelled migrants landed in Guatemala on Friday, marking the latest phase of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
A total of 265 Guatemalan migrants were flown back on three separate flights — two operated by the military and one by charter — according to Guatemala’s migration institute, which updated earlier figures.
In addition, four deportation flights were sent to Mexico on Thursday, the White House press secretary confirmed via social media, despite reports that at least one flight was turned back by Mexican authorities.
Mexico’s government has not confirmed the arrival of these flights or any specific arrangements with the US for receiving deported individuals.
However, Mexico’s foreign ministry stated that the country is prepared to cooperate with the US on the deportation of its citizens, emphasizing that Mexicans would always be welcomed back to their home country.
These flights are part of what the White House described as “the largest mass deportation operation in history,” announcing over a thousand arrests in just two days, with hundreds of individuals sent back via military aircraft.
On Thursday alone, 538 immigrants were detained, followed by 593 on Friday.
In comparison, under the Biden administration, deportation flights were also a regular occurrence, with over 270,000 deportations in 2024 — a decade-high — and 113,400 arrests, averaging 310 detentions per day.
The Guatemalan government did not specify whether the deportees who arrived on Friday were among those arrested during this recent operation.
A government official noted that these flights were arranged after Trump took office.
A Pentagon source also confirmed that two Department of Defense planes conducted repatriation flights from the US to Guatemala.
Trump shared an image on social media of men in shackles being led onto military aircraft, stating, “Deportation flights have begun.”
He also reiterated that the flights were part of an effort to remove “bad, hard criminals,” including murderers and other serious offenders.
The deportees were taken to a reception center in Guatemala City, away from the media’s view.
Trump’s administration began its second term with a series of executive actions targeting immigration reform, starting with a declaration of a “national emergency” at the southern border and the deployment of additional military troops.
The administration also emphasized its intention to reinstate a “Remain in Mexico” policy, which requires migrants to stay in Mexico while their US entry applications are processed.
The White House confirmed this policy was back in effect, with Mexico reportedly deploying around 30,000 National Guard troops to its border.
The Mexican government did not verify this claim, and further complications have arisen with the suspension of an asylum program for migrants fleeing authoritarian regimes, leaving many stranded on the Mexican side of the border.
