Guatemala is reportedly open to receiving citizens from other Central American nations who get deported by the incoming Trump administration for living in the United States illegally. Reuters reports, three sources familiar with the matter said Guatemala is making the effort to build a positive relationship with the incoming Trump administration.
A Guatemalan official said that there must be a “regional response” and that they want to “be part of the solution.”
Deporting immigrants from countries that are not cooperative including Nicaragua, Venezuela and Haiti has been a challenge for the United States. In an effort to find a place to accept the deportees, the United States is seeking support from countries that will accept deportees from third countries. Mexico and the Bahamas are among those who have refused to take such deportees. Mexico has said that they are willing to take back only their own citizens for whom they have set up shelters for them to stay temporarily upon arrival.
Guatemala, on the other hand, has been preparing for the incoming Trump administration by meeting with transition team members, including Senator Marco Rubio before he was picked as Secretary of State, to discuss migration and mass deportations, border security, drug trafficking, and China, according to Reuters.
One Guatemalan official said that the country already receives 14 deportation flights each week, but they are preparing for a dramatic increase and expecting it to take hold closer to the fall. Another official from Guatemala said that they “aren’t ready for it,” but they “know it’s coming.” Guatemala will prioritize its own citizens, the official said, noting that every country should take responsibility for its own citizens.
Guatemala reportedly plans to put the deportees to work in the private sector hoping to take advantage of the skills they attained while in the United States. The country said they see an advantage in allowing those who have worked in sectors such as construction and the service industry, who also may have learned how to speak English, to use and share their skills in Guatemala.
As far as the finances go of accepting deportees, one official said that they do not have a financial plan yet but they are “not worried about the immediate economic effects of a drop in remittances.” About 20% of Guatemala’s GDP comes from remittances, money sent home from those in the United States, according to Reuters.
Concerns for Guatemala, however, in regards to reduced remittances that happen in congruence with Trump’s proposed increased tariffs or tax remittances have arisen, the outlet adds.
Honduras is another nation that has reportedly also met with Trump’s transition team to discuss plans of taking back deportees. Honduras’ Deputy Foreign Minister Garcia said that while Honduras is already “experiencing the phenomenon of mass deportations,” he expects the difference could be going from about 10 flights to 20 or 30 more.
Garcia noted that at least 40% of deportees try to migrate to the United States again, adding that it is important that both countries work together in improving the living conditions that are the cause of migration, including gang violence, unemployment and poverty.
