More than 19 thousand Guatemalans have been deported from the USA and Mexico in 2025

More than 16 thousand Guatemalans have been returned from the United States by air, from January to June 18, 2025, according to data from the Guatemalan Migration Institute (IGM). The increase in deportations to the national territory obeys to the hardening of the migratory policies of the Government of Donald Trump, that in recent weeks has intensified the operations of capture and detention of undocumented migrants, both from Guatemala and other countries.

Until June 18, the IGM reports a total of 16,540 Guatemalans returned by air, of which 13,473 are men and 2,195 women. In addition, 603 minors are recorded: 307 men and 263 women who returned accompanied, while 48 minor men and 16 minor women did not accompanied it.

The statistics also indicate that 1,57 members of 427 families have been returned, including 91 men, 382 women, 313 lower men and 271 minor women.

The IGM points out that most of the returned Guatemalans They come from the departments of the West and the central area of ​​the country. Huehuetenango heads the list with 2,950 people, followed by San Marcos with 2 thousand 13, Quiché with 1,788 and Guatemala with 1 thousand 100.

The information details that by month, the returns of Guatemalans were like this:

• January, 3,334 people
• February, 2,241
• March, 2,436
• April, 2 thousand 507
• May, 3 thousand 607
• So far in June, 2,415
• The total amounts to 16,540 Guatemalans returned.

Regarding the origin of the flights, 104 from Texas, 68 of Luisiana, 8 of Arizona, 3 of Florida and 3 of Ohio are reported.

Minor figure compared to 2024

Although the amount of Guatemalans returned by air in the first half of 2025 It seems high, it is lower compared to the same period of 2024.

In January of the previous year, the IGM reports 6,424 returns; in February, 6 thousand 972; March, 5,941; April, 4 thousand 852; May, 5,526; and June, 5,520, for a total of 35 thousand 235 during the first six months of 2024.

In total, from January to December 2024, 61,680 nationals were returned from the United States, according to official IGM figures.

Returned from Mexico

In addition to the returns from the United States, the IGM informs that between January and June 18, 2025 they have been returned by air from Mexico 1,268 Guatemalans: 853 men, 267 women and 148 minors (28 men and 21 women accompanied; 69 men and 30 women not accompanied).

Of the total, 81 people belong to 30 families, made up of 6 men, 26 women, 28 minor men and 21 lower women.

By land, 1,790 Guatemalans have been returned from Mexico: 1 thousand 150 men, 396 women and 244 minors. Among the latter, 27 men and 27 women entered accompanied, while 138 minor men and 52 lower women were returned not accompanied.

Of the Terrestrial returnees, 95 integrate 33 families, made up of 13 men, 24 women, 28 minor men and 30 minor women.

In total, the Guatemalans returned from the United States and Mexico, from January 1 to June 18, 2025, total 19 thousand 598.

Policies hardening influences figures

The arrival of Donald Trump to the presidency of the United States and the consequent hardening of migratory policies, including the militarization of the southern border with Mexico, They have been determining factors in the reduction of migratory flow in the area, Fernando Castro, an analyst of migratory issues.

“It should be noted that the number of deportations to the country has been reduced around 35 and 40 percent less than the previous year and the case is that we remember that the migratory flow was enormous. They were more than 130 thousand, 150 thousand, 170 thousand people who reached the southern border of the United States and within this it was a large number of Guatemalans, they were more than 235 thousand, I remember in the year 2024 of possession of Donald Trump and forcing the Mexican government to put more strict measures of immigration control reduced this figure, ”says the expert.

Castro also emphasizes that the recent captures of the United States Immigration Department have occurred to the interior of the country, since most Guatemalans returned in recent months resided and worked in different locations.

However, these figures They could increase in the second semester of 2025 due to new laws and executive orders They will be issued by Donald Trump to prevent immigrants from remaining in US territory, says the expert.

“It is very possible. Recall that the resumption of capture orders in the work centers of agriculture and hospitality has already been given, and then, in that sense, it is very feasible that in that aspect these figures can be increased. This implies that the vision will be a forecast of greater deportation from both the United States and Mexico, and in that case I will reite California, Texas or what is Miami or New York, which in that sense is a large concentration of Guatemalan immigrants, ”he says.

Support for returnees

All the returned Guatemalans who arrive weekly to the Guatemalan Air Force are received by IGM personnel and the National Council for Attention to Guatemala migrant (Conamigua).

According to Julio Lainfiesta, Deputy Secretary of Conamigua, since his arrival they are given information and support so that they can return to their places of origin and initiate a new stage in the country.

“We are first paying a kit of attention in terms of hygiene kit, a rain kit. Remember that the rainy season has already started, we are delivering a small layer, small protective for their footwear. We are also giving a small kit for the people who request it,” says Lainfiesta.

The official added that those who wish to integrate into Household Plan are transferred to the Center for Attention and Registration of Returned Migrants (CAR), Located in Zone 1 capital. There they receive guidance on job opportunities, medical assistance and other services, which are not provided directly by Conamigua, but by entities in charge of the plan.

In the CAR also provides legal and psychological support, as well as transport to the main bus terminals in the capital for those who are originally from the interior of the country.

As for short -term projects, Lainfiesta indicated that the purchase of a pullman type bus was already awarded To transfer the returnees to departments near the capital, and it is expected to be operational within a period not exceeding one month. In addition, I affirm that the signing of an agreement was already signed with the Technical Institute of Training and Productivity (Intecap), through which scholarships will be granted for training courses aimed at returnees, with the aim of facilitating their labor reintegration.

Regarding the reinstatement of working life of the thousands of returnees who arrive every week in the country, Fernando Castro considers that it constitutes a true challenge for the government to seek viable alternatives that allow them to access work opportunities for their development and economic growth.

“It is an issue that should be addressed no longer as a government problem, but as a country problem, where a social pact should be convened, a call for productive sectors, migratory analysts, planners, which are the three agencies of the State, as well as advice from institutions such as IOM or ILO The expert points out.