Mexico Protests U.S. Deportation of Citizens to Third Countries

Mexico has officially voiced its opposition to the United States' practice of deporting Mexican citizens to third countries before returning them to Mexico. Mexico's Interior Secretary, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, revealed that around 2,300 Mexican nationals have been sent to Guatemala this year alone under this policy. Rodríguez conveyed Mexico's stance during a meeting with the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Ronald Johnson, urging the continuation of direct repatriation mechanisms. "We express that we respect the decisions that other countries make in migratory policy, but we do not share that our compatriots are transferred to a third country before arriving in Mexico, since we are receiving them directly and with an agreement we have with them," Rodríguez stated. She specified that Washington is sending Mexicans not only to Guatemala but also to Honduras and Costa Rica. Mexico prefers to maintain its existing agreements for direct reception of deportees. The complaint follows Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo's confirmation that the U.S. has sent approximately 2,300 deported Mexicans to his country in 2026, a significant increase from just 15 in the previous year. These individuals arrive on U.S. flights, often alongside deported Guatemalan citizens, and transit through Guatemala for less than 24 hours before continuing their journey to Mexico. Arévalo clarified that Guatemala does not function as a "safe third country" in these cases, as the Mexicans are merely in transit. The U.S. has also deported Mexican citizens to Honduras as part of an expanded third-country deportation policy. Despite these concerns, Rodríguez highlighted a substantial reduction in irregular migration toward the United States, estimating a 96% decrease for both foreigners and Mexicans.

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We express that we respect the decisions that other countries make in migratory policy, but we do not share that our compatriots are transferred to a third country before arriving in Mexico, since we are receiving them directly and with an agreement we have with them.