Guatemala ready for more deportations under Trump, report says: ‘We know it’s coming’

Guatemala is considering accepting more foreign nationals deported from the United States by the incoming Trump administration in an effort to strengthen ties with the U.S., according to a report from Reuters. The move comes as part of a regional response to the expected increase in deportations under President Trump’s campaign promise to begin the largest mass deportation of illegal immigrants in American history.

Officials from Guatemala have expressed willingness to receive deported citizens from other Central American countries like Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Haiti, which have strained relationships with the U.S. and have not previously accepted deportees. The Guatemalan government sees this as an opportunity to be part of the solution and to build a stronger relationship with the Trump administration.

Currently, Guatemala receives 14 deportation flights per week under President Biden’s administration, but officials are preparing for an increase in deportations in the fall as the Trump administration ramps up its operations. The Trump transition team has reportedly reached out to other Central and South American countries to gauge their willingness to accept deportations, with some countries like Mexico and the Bahamas refusing to take in foreign nationals from third countries.

Guatemala has been proactive in courting the incoming Trump administration, with officials meeting with members of the transition team, including Sen. Marco Rubio, before he was nominated as secretary of state. The hope is that deportees from the U.S. can put their skills to work in Guatemala’s private sector, benefiting both the individuals and the country’s economy.

However, officials also acknowledge the potential economic impact of a decline in remittances from Guatemalan workers in the U.S., which account for about 20% of the country’s GDP. With concerns over Trump’s proposed tariff hikes or increased taxes on remittances, there is uncertainty about the future financial plan.

Despite the challenges, Guatemala remains committed to working with the Trump administration and other countries in the region to address the issue of deportations and to strengthen ties with the U.S. The country sees this as an opportunity to harness the skills and talents of deportees for the benefit of its economy and society.