Two Deportation Flights to Guatemala Proceed as PlannedPentagon Plans to Deport 5,000 Migrants Using Military Aircraft

The Mexican government has refused a request from the U.S. to allow a military aircraft carrying deported migrants to land in Mexico, according to officials from both nations. While the U.S. military successfully conducted two deportation flights to Guatemala on Friday—each transporting around 80 migrants—Mexico denied permission for a similar flight involving a C-17 transport aircraft.

Mexico’s foreign ministry released a statement emphasizing its strong relationship with the U.S. and its willingness to welcome repatriated Mexican nationals. However, it did not directly address why the landing request was denied.

The U.S. administration, under President Donald Trump, recently reactivated the controversial "Remain in Mexico" policy, which requires non-Mexican asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while their U.S. immigration cases are processed. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum clarified that such measures require Mexico’s consent, which has not been given. Sheinbaum also voiced opposition to mass deportations, highlighting the critical role Mexican immigrants play in the U.S. economy.

The use of U.S. military aircraft for deportations is part of the Pentagon's broader response to Trump’s recent declaration of a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border. This marks an unusual move, as military aircraft are rarely used for deportation operations.

The Pentagon confirmed plans to deport over 5,000 migrants currently detained in El Paso, Texas, and San Diego, California, using military flights. While deportations to Guatemala have continued on both military and chartered commercial flights, Mexico’s denial adds complexity to the Trump administration's border strategy.

Tensions between the two countries have escalated as Trump increases pressure on Mexico with threats of tariffs on Mexican goods, the reclassification of drug cartels as terrorist organizations, and additional troop deployments to the border. Despite this, Mexico has sought to maintain diplomatic ties and accommodate returning nationals while rejecting policies it views as unjust.

This development reflects the growing challenges in U.S.-Mexico immigration cooperation and underscores the broader political implications of Trump’s border policies.