Final Deportation Flights Land in Guatemala City
The United States deported a record-breaking 61,680 Guatemalans in 2024, as confirmed by the Guatemalan Migration Institute following the arrival of the last deportation flights into Guatemala City on Friday. Four planes from Texas landed at an air force base, with AFP journalists witnessing around 100 individuals, primarily women with children, disembarking from one aircraft.
Surge in Deportations Linked to Upcoming U.S. Administration Change
This significant uptick in deportations comes in anticipation of Donald Trump’s scheduled re-entry into the White House in late January 2025, where he has promised a policy of mass deportations.
Statistics and Impact on Guatemalan Community in the U.S.
The Guatemalan government estimates that approximately 2.7 million of its citizens reside in the U.S., with only about 400,000 having the legal documentation to stay and work. In 2024, 508 flights carried these 61,680 individuals back to Guatemala, surpassing the previous year’s total of 55,302 and the 2019 record of 54,599 deportees.
Economic Implications and Reasons for Migration
The deportation wave coincides with ongoing issues in Guatemala, where thousands seek to escape violence and economic hardship. These migrants often send remittances home, which are crucial for the local economy. In 2024, remittances reached a record high of nearly $21 billion, representing 19% of Guatemala’s GDP, according to the country’s central bank.
