By Investing.com — Guatemala has expressed its openness to accept citizens from other Central American nations who are deported from the United States, according to three sources close to the matter. This move is seen as part of the country’s efforts to foster a positive relationship with the upcoming Trump administration.
A Guatemalan official, who asked to remain anonymous, stated that a regional response is needed and that Guatemala wants to be part of the solution. The U.S. has faced difficulties in deporting nationals from countries like Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Haiti due to tense relations. This could present a hurdle for President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged to deport a record number of immigrants residing in the U.S. illegally.
The Trump team has already initiated discussions with several governments to assess their willingness to accept deportees from third countries. However, many neighboring countries, including Mexico and the Bahamas, have expressed their reluctance to accept deportees from third countries.
In 2022, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, over 40% of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally were from Mexico, totaling 4.8 million out of 11 million. This was followed by Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, which collectively made up more than a fifth of the total.
Relative to its neighbors El Salvador and Honduras, Guatemala has been notably proactive in preparing for a second Trump term. The country has held meetings with Trump transition team members, Senator Marco Rubio prior to his selection for secretary of state, and the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank. The discussions revolved around migration and mass deportations, border security, drug trafficking, and China.
All three countries, along with Nicaragua, which has a notably tense relationship with the U.S., are facing a critical moment. They need to address Trump’s demand to accept deportees and potentially deal with a reduction in remittances from immigrants in the U.S., a significant source of income for their economies. The Trump transition team has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.
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