Mexico denies land access to US military plane
Mexico has reportedly denied land access to a U.S. military plane that was supposed to transport illegal immigrants to the country this week. This move highlights the tensions between the United States and its southern neighbor as the Trump administration continues to crack down on illegal migrants.
According to NBC News, two Air Force C-17s bound for Guatemala carrying about 80 people each flew deportees out of the U.S. on Thursday night. However, a third flight bound for Mexico never took off after Mexico declined to consent to the landing. The reasons for Mexico blocking the flight are not clear, but tensions over the Trump administration’s tough illegal immigration policies have strained relations between the two countries.
Flying deportees into a foreign country requires the cooperation of that nation’s government. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed opposition to Trump’s executive orders aimed at combating illegal immigration, including reinstating the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which requires migrants to wait in Mexico while their asylum claims are processed in the U.S.
Before taking office, Trump promised mass deportations targeting criminal illegal immigrants and implementing tougher immigration standards and vetting procedures. He also ordered 1,500 active-duty troops to the southern border to increase the military presence there.
In recent days, federal immigration authorities have made hundreds of arrests, including gang members and individuals with criminal histories, as part of the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts.
The denial of land access to the U.S. military plane by Mexico underscores the ongoing challenges and complexities surrounding illegal immigration and the strained relations between the United States and its southern neighbor. The Trump administration’s tough stance on illegal immigration continues to be a point of contention, both domestically and internationally.
