Guatemala may accept more foreign nationals deported from the U.S. under the incoming Trump administration. Officials told Reuters they are open to accepting deported citizens from other Central American countries, including Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Haiti. These nations have strained ties with the U.S. and have not accepted deportees in the past.
"There has to be a regional response," a Guatemalan official said. "And we want to be part of the solution."
Guatemala expects the largest mass deportation in U.S. history under Trump. The country wants to stay on good terms with the new president during this process. Officials believe deportations will rise by fall, though they acknowledge it will take time for the Trump administration to ramp up its operations.
"We aren't ready for it, but we know it's coming," another Guatemalan government official shared.
Currently, Guatemala receives 14 deportation flights per week under Biden’s administration. The Trump transition team hasn’t yet commented on this report.
Trump's team has also reached out to other countries in the region to see if they would accept deportees. Some, including Mexico and the Bahamas, have said no.
In 2022, Mexico accounted for over 40% of illegal immigrants in the U.S. Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras together made up over a fifth of the total, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Guatemala has been proactive in courting the Trump administration compared to its neighbors, El Salvador and Honduras. Members of the transition team have met with Guatemalan officials, including Sen. Marco Rubio and staff from the Heritage Foundation.
The second Guatemalan official said the country would focus on reintegrating its own citizens first. Every country should take responsibility for its people, but Guatemala also hopes to see a regional pact with countries like Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador for free movement. The goal is that deportees use skills learned in the U.S. to help Guatemala’s private sector.