ALERT: U.S. Uses Guatemala and Honduras as Transit Points for Mexican Deportees

The United States uses Guatemala and Honduras as transit points to transfer Mexican migrants expelled from its territory. Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo confirmed the arrival of 2,284 Mexican citizens during the course of 2026.

Mexican nationals travel on shared flights with Central American returnees and are then transported by bus toward southern Mexico. The measure aims to place geographic distance between deportees to prevent them from attempting to cross the U.S. border again immediately.

How Does the Transit Mechanism in Central America Work?

Mexican citizens board federal repatriation aircraft alongside individuals from Central American destination countries. Upon landing at Central American airports, local authorities receive them under a special temporary transit migatory status. President Bernardo Arévalo clarified in a press conference that these citizens do not request asylum or refuge in Guatemalan territory.

«We admit them in transit status to return them to Mexican territory in less than 24 hours,» Arévalo explained. Mexico’s National Immigration Institute coordinates the ground reception of groups at border points in the state of Chiapas. The logistical costs of transfers are assumed by Mexico or financed through U.S. government programs, according to official data. This logistics approach contrasts with direct returns to Mexican border cities applied traditionally in previous years.

What Records Exist of Transfers to Honduras?

Honduras became another key transit point for expulsion flights from the United States. Official documents confirmed the arrival of 82 Mexicans in San Pedro Sula on August 13 and 15. Additionally, another group of 35 Mexican nationals arrived at the same Honduran airport terminal on August 20.

The observatory Third Country Deportation Watch documented that another 165 Mexicans were sent to Honduras between May and July.2098 This project is coordinated by non-governmental organizations Human Rights First and Refugees International. Civil organizations warn that sending people to foreign nations violates international human rights protocols. Many deportees lack economic resources and are exposed to security risks during the Central American journey.

Why Is Washington Implementing This Regional Strategy?

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended the operations by stating it uses all legal tools at its disposal. The administration of President Donald Trump seeks to execute what it characterizes as the largest migration removal operation.

The main objective is to place thousands of kilometers of distance between the expelled migrants and the southern border.