The support that some American congressmen have shown towards a proposal to tax remittances has caused surprise and disagreement among migrant communities, especially Guatemalan. Activists point out that, despite having requested support against the measure, several legislators representing districts with high Latin presence have given their endorsement.
A legislative proposal in the United States that aims to impose a 3.5% tax on remittances sent to countries such as Guatemala has generated concern among Guatemalan migrants.
In the case of Guatemala, where remittances constitute one of the main pillars of the national economy, this bill – One Beautiful Bill Act – It could economically affect those who depend on these shipments, according to several nationals consulted on this initiative.
Currently, the average cost for sending a roughness from the US is US $ 10; However, if this measure was approved, a 3.5% surcharge would be added on the amount sent.
From the Guatemalan migrant networkOrganization with a presence in 43 states, pressure mechanisms have been activated before the US Congress. However, they have also expressed their disappointment for the support that some congressmen, including historical allies, have provided to this proposal.
“We are still surprised that our congressmen supported this. That denotes that there is a great economic deficit. Calls we have made their offices in Washington or in the district, yes, but they are our voice and are supporting the tax,” criticized a spokesman for the migrant network.
The organization denounced that even representatives considered close to the community, such as Congressman Jimmy Gómez, have shown support for the proposal.
The network still evaluates whether they will present a formal letter or a joint document that supports this concern more structured.
Migrant Network Seek support
“When we call, we say: ‘I am Neca Tovar, I live in his district. I ask you not to support this proposal because it harms me. I send remittances monthly for my family in Guatemala, and each tax that is imposed is less money that they will receive,”explained a Guatemalan activist based between New York and New Jersey.
Tovar collaborates with community organizations and needy families.
“With this tax and shipping costs, of every $ 100 sent, the family would only receive $ 86.50. It’s like removing them, on average, more than Q100 for each roughness,” said Tovar.
The money sent by migrants already has other surcharges and also explained that each migrant in the US pays annually, even if it does not have legal immigration status.
“With that tax identification number – Tax ID – pay taxes, but do not receive the same benefit as a person with legal status. Then, imagine: already pay taxes and they will still have to pay another on money that was already taxed,” he explained.
The activist also warned about the psychological consequences that recent migratory policies, throughout 2025, under Trump’s impositions, have had on Guatemalans in the United States, especially in surveillance contexts by ICE.
“I have a friend who did not endure the pressure. He entered the stress and today he informed me that he returns to Guatemala. All this is really having negative impacts,” he said.
In addition to the economic coup, Tovar warned that the tax could have deep effects: “lower income could motivate more people to migrate, contradicting US policies to stop migration. If a dad feels that the money will no longer reach the money to send the same amount of remittances, he will ask his son to migrate to compensate. Many already have their payments committed to buy a house, a land or fulfill their family.
In addition, he criticized that the true reason for the tax seems to be merely collecting.
“They realized the enormous amount of money that moves in remittances and does not want to miss the opportunity to take advantage. They will use those funds to build the wall and stop migration, but they are wrong,” he said.
“Migration is not going to stop. People migrate out of necessity, for hunger, for fear. That is not resolved with walls or taxes to those who are already helping from afar,” he emphasized.
Behind each dollar
Luis de la Vega, Guatemalteco based in California for 21 years, commented that, although he manages to stay with his work, he does not live in conditions of abundance: “Just as the dollar is earned, the dollar is spent. Behind every dollar sent there are stories of great sacrifice of the Guatemalans,” he said.
He commented that the price of the apartments in his area can exceed 1,500 dollars, which he used as a reference to illustrate the high cost of living in California.
He explained that their monthly expenses range between 1,800 and 2 thousand dollars, the highest expense being the income, as with the majority of migrants in that area.
Many Guatemalans in the US. UU. They make significant efforts to send remittances. They live with the minimum, they share housing with up to six people, cook their own food and eliminate non -essential expenses. All with the aim of saving as much as possible for their families in Guatemala.
“After so much effort, they come to take them Q26 only for that concept for every 100 dollars sent, plus the payment to the remittance,” he lamented.
De la Vega said that many send between 1 thousand and 2 thousand dollars a month, at the expense of a superhuman effort. Given this measure, they will limit themselves even more or work more hours.
“Many we keep every penny with the hope of buying an earthly, a little house … something we never had. It is not about tax evasion, because they say that it will only apply to those who are in an irregular situation. So, it is racism. They are punishing us only for our migratory status,” he said.
Could strengthen organized crime
The sending of remittances could become much more expensive if the proposal of former president Donald Trump is approved.
Currently, the remittances charge between $ 8 and 10 for sending up to $ 1,000. For larger amounts, such as 2,000 dollars, the rate doubles.
At that cost, the proposed 3.5% would be added. For example:
- Shipping of US $ 100: US $ 3.50 would be paid
- Shipping of US $ 400: the total cost would rise to US $ 24, between rate and tax
Walter Batrés, community leader and defender of the rights of migrants, warns that this measure could encourage informal shipping mechanisms, without traceability or legal control.
“This is only going to strengthen organized crime. Here in Los Angeles, many people deliver effective in hand to members of their own communities so that money arrives in Guatemala. That is not a roughness, it is money laundering.”
He explained that in the United Communities, such as Totonicapán, there are internal networks without formal intermediaries, where money moves outside the financial system, which represents a risk to the security of migrant and families.
“With measures like this, the United States believes that it will obtain considerable income from remittances, but it will only unleash illegal mechanisms to evade the tax.”
Guatemala is currently the second country in Latin America that receives the most remittances from the United States, after Mexico, and millions of families depend on these shipments to survive.
Although the fiscal proposal has not yet been approved, it has received support from representatives of both political parties in the US Congress.
Also read: Police operations empty the “migrants stop” in Brooklyn, key point for Guatemalan workers