Edit Crime, Law & Justice News

Guatemalan President: No Set Date for Receiving Deported Third-Country Nationals

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo has confirmed that neither his government nor the United States has established a timeline for when Guatemala will start receiving third-country nationals deported under current U.S. immigration policies.

 

High-Level Talks on Migration

During a recent meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio—currently on his first tour of Latin America—President Arevalo and Rubio addressed urgent migration issues. At a press conference in Guatemala City, the two leaders announced that Guatemala has agreed to increase deportation flights from the U.S. by 40% and to accept third-country nationals en route to their home countries.

 

“Addressing the migratory situation is critical for us,” Rubio stated, underscoring the urgency of the new arrangement.

 

Repatriation Efforts and Future Procedures

President Arevalo explained that the U.S. will also support Guatemala’s efforts to repatriate these individuals once they arrive. However, he emphasized that the repatriation process will primarily focus on Guatemalans and other Central Americans. While there might be cases involving individuals from other nationalities, specific numbers were not discussed, as the framework is still under development.

 

“Our discussions didn’t include exact figures or proportions,” Arevalo noted. “The focus will be on repatriating Central Americans, and if other nationalities are involved, we’ll apply the appropriate rules as we develop them.”

 

A New Approach Separate from Past Policies

This new understanding is distinct from the 2019 “Safe Third Country” agreement, which allowed deported third-country nationals to apply for asylum in Guatemala. President Arevalo made it clear that the current arrangement is solely aimed at repatriation rather than asylum processing.

 

Broader Implications and Diplomatic Engagements

The deal is viewed as a strategic win for the Trump administration, which has intensified its deportation efforts as part of a broader immigration crackdown. Additionally, Secretary Rubio announced measures to exempt Guatemala from proposed cuts to U.S. foreign aid, ensuring continued support in the country’s fight against drug trafficking.

 

A delegation of Guatemalan officials is set to visit Washington in the coming weeks to finalize further details of the agreement. As migration remains a pressing issue in the region, both nations are committed to working together to address these challenges while keeping future procedures flexible.