US deportation flights Illegal immigration crackdown Remain in Mexico policy Massive deportation operation
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US Deportation Flights Land in Latin America: Crackdown on Illegal Immigration Escalates

US military planes carrying expelled migrants have begun arriving in Latin America as President Donald Trump intensifies efforts to curb illegal immigration. On Friday, Guatemalan authorities reported the arrival of 265 deportees on three separate flights — two military-operated and one chartered.

In a related move, Washington also sent four deportation flights to Mexico on Thursday. However, multiple US media outlets suggested that at least one plane might have been turned back. While Mexico’s government has neither confirmed receiving the flights nor agreed to a set number, the foreign ministry expressed willingness to collaborate with the US, stating that Mexico would “always welcome the return of its citizen​_s with open arms.”

These flights are part of what the White House is calling “the largest massive deportation operation in history.” Over two days, US authorities arrested more than 1,000 individuals and deported hundreds using military aircraft. On Thursday, 538 individuals classified as “immigrant without papers” were detained, followed by another 593 on Friday, according to official reports.

Increased Deportation Operations

The crackdown highlights a stark contrast with the policies of President Joe Biden, Trump’s predecessor. Under Biden, deportation operations were frequent, leading to a record 270,000 deportations in 2024 and averaging 310 arrests daily.

The Guatemalan government has not confirmed whether any of this week’s detainees were among those who arrived on Friday. However, an official from Guatemala’s vice president’s office indicated that the flights occurred post-Trump’s inauguration.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon confirmed that two Department of Defense (DOD) aircraft conducted repatriation flights to Guatemala overnight. Early Friday, the White House shared images of shackled individuals boarding a military plane with the caption, “Deportation flights have begun.” Trump echoed this message, emphasizing the removal of “the bad, hard criminals,” including individuals he described as “murderers” and “as bad as you can get.”

Policy Shifts and Border Measures

Trump’s administration has also reinstated the controversial “Remain in Mexico” policy, requiring individuals applying for US entry from Mexico to wait there until their applications are processed. Additionally, Mexico has reportedly deployed 30,000 National Guard troops to its border, although its foreign ministry has not confirmed this claim.

The crackdown has impacted asylum programs for those fleeing oppressive regimes in Central and South America, leaving thousands stranded on the Mexican side of the border.

As Trump begins his second term, his administration is doubling down on immigration reform through executive actions. From declaring a national emergency at the southern border to ramping up troop deployments, the president remains committed to delivering on his campaign promise to overhaul immigration policies.

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