U.S. Sent 2,284 Mexicans to Guatemala This Year Rather Than Home, and Mexico Says It Objected

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo said on Aug. 19 that 2,284 Mexicans deported by the United States have arrived in Guatemala this year as a "transit stopover" before being bused to Mexico, up from 15 in all of 2025. The Associated Press reported Honduras has also received Mexicans, including 82 on Aug. 13 and 15 and 35 more on Aug. 20. Mexico's National Migration Institute confirmed the practice, which it said began mainly in April, saying "the United States wants to prevent them from crossing back into its territory."

Immigration lawyers quoted by AP say routing Mexicans through third countries can function as a way around immigration court orders barring their direct return to Mexico.

Mexico's Foreign Ministry said it has told U.S. authorities it opposes the practice. DHS said the administration "is utilizing all lawful options to carry out the largest deportation operation in history."