Guatemala has agreed to increase the number of deportation flights it receives from the United States by 40%, signaling a significant shift in immigration cooperation between the two nations.
At a Glance
- Guatemala will increase acceptance of U.S. deportation flights by 40%
- Agreement includes accepting non-Guatemalan deportees
- U.S. to provide financial support for repatriation efforts
- Deal follows visit from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- Approximately 66,000 people were deported from U.S. to Guatemala in 2024
Guatemala Expands Deportation Agreement with U.S.
Guatemala has agreed to a substantial increase in the number of deportation flights it will accept from the United States. The agreement, announced by Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo, comes as part of a broader effort to address regional migration challenges and improve repatriation processes.
“We have agreed to increase by 40 percent the number of flights of deportees both of our nationality as well as deportees from other nationalities,” President Bernardo Arevalo said.
The agreement, which follows a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, marks a significant change in Guatemala’s immigration policy. Under the new arrangement, Guatemala will not only accept more of its own citizens being deported but will also serve as a transit point for non-Guatemalan deportees.
U.S. Support and Regional Implications
The United States has pledged financial support to Guatemala to assist with the repatriation of non-citizens to their home countries. This collaborative approach aims to streamline the deportation process and address the backlog in U.S. immigration enforcement.
“His (Arevalo’s) willingness to accept not just nationals but those from other nationalities as they seek to ultimately return to their own homelands is also important, and we’ve pledged our support with those efforts,” Rubio said.
Secretary Rubio’s visit to Guatemala is part of a broader regional tour aimed at garnering support for the Trump administration’s anti-immigration policies. The tour includes stops in Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic, underscoring the importance of Central American cooperation in U.S. immigration strategy.
🇺🇸🇬🇹 | BREAKING: Guatemala Strikes Deal with the United States in Taking Back Deportees Under New “Safe Third Country” Agreement
In a significant move following Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo has agreed to accept migrants from other… pic.twitter.com/TXIIJN5Ije
— Bienvenido (@bienvenido_us) February 5, 2025
Challenges and Considerations
While the agreement represents a significant step in addressing immigration issues, it also raises questions about capacity and human rights concerns. Guatemala received approximately 66,000 deportees from the U.S. in 2024, and the new agreement will substantially increase that number.
President Arevalo emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to migration, stating, “As part of this strategy, we have implemented the return-home plan that makes it possible. We have implemented the return home plan that makes it possible for our brethren to be dignified migrants in the United States.”
The agreement does not address the issue of accepting migrants with criminal records, a topic that has been controversial in other regional discussions. El Salvador’s offer to jail violent offenders deported from the U.S. has raised legal concerns, highlighting the complex nature of these international agreements.
