Carlos Navarro was eating takeout outside a restaurant in Virginia recently when immigration officers apprehended him and informed him that there was an order for his removal from the country. Despite never having had any prior encounters with the law, the 32-year-old Mr. Navarro, who worked at poultry plants, found himself back in Guatemala for the first time in 11 years by last week. He called his wife in the United States from a reception center for deportees in Guatemala City. This experience of Mr. Navarro could be a sign of the quick deportations that may be coming under President Donald J. Trump to communities across the United States, home to millions of unauthorized immigrants.
The Trump administration, which has pledged to carry out the largest deportations in American history, was rumored to be initiating them as early as Tuesday. In his inaugural address on Monday, Mr. Trump vowed to “begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came.”
Guatemala, a country with a significant undocumented population in the United States, has been receiving around seven deportation flights a week from the country, translating to about 1,000 people each week. The government has indicated that they can handle a maximum of 20 such flights a week, accommodating around 2,500 people. As the government prepares for these deportations, they are also working on a plan called “Return Home” to assist Guatemalans facing deportation by providing them with support and a dignified reception upon arrival.
This plan is not only a way for Guatemala to show cooperation with the Trump administration but also aims to reintegrate deported Guatemalans back into society by linking them to job opportunities and providing mental health support. The goal is to harness the skills of deportees and offer them a chance to contribute to the country’s economy and society. Despite the challenges that deportees may face in staying in Guatemala, such as poverty, lack of jobs, and the draw of the United States, some see the potential for a new beginning in their homeland.