The United States government will repatriate more than 600 Guatemalan minors who entered that country without the accompaniment of an adult and who are currently under the protection of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), CNN reported.
According to the American chain, the administration of President Donald Trump has identified these minors as possible candidates for their return to Guatemala.
The authorities responsible for receiving the returnees in Guatemala indicated that in the next two days the first group of children and adolescents will not accompanied. It is estimated that some 400 minors will arrive at the Guatemalan Air Force.
CNN reported that, although the US Government qualifies the process as repatriation – which would imply that it is a voluntary act and not a deportation, understood as forced expulsion -, various people have expressed doubts about whether minors fully understand what they accept when leaving the country.
The Communication Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on flights with returned minors were consulted and how they are preparing to receive them. They replied that the Guatemalan Institute of Migration (IGM) will send the corresponding manifesto with the dates and number of adolescents that will arrive.
The Attorney General’s Office (PGN) also pointed out that the IGM is the entity responsible for coordinating flights with deportees. In addition, he shared a bulletin in which he explains how the institution collaborates in family reunification.
“January, March, May, June and July have been the months with the highest number of childhood and unaccompanied migrant adolescents that returned to the country by air and land. According to statistics from the Prosecutor’s Office of Children and Adolescents, from January 1 to August 15, 2025, 654 girls, boys and adolescents (NNA) (NNA) have been given,” said the PGN.
He explained that 203 entered by land and 451 by air. Most of the returnees are male teenagers between 14 and 17 years old. In 2024, the institution provided accompaniment to 2,977 thousand minors.
Ensure accompaniment of the returnees
The Ministry of Social Welfare of the Presidency said they are prepared to serve unaccompanied minors returning to the country.
On Friday, August 29, Foreign Minister Carlos Martínez told AP that the government has already informed the United States that it is willing to receive minors.
Guatemala has expressed particular concern for those who could exceed the limit age in child detention centers and be sent to adult centers, the official said.
He indicated that the exact number of minors who will be returned is not yet defined, although there is currently a little more than 600, and the date for their return has not yet been set.
According to data from the Office of the Administration for Children and Families, under the HHS, the United States was under custody of 2,198 unaccompanied minors in July; However, their nationalities were not revealed.
Most of those who cross the terrestrial border between the United States and Mexico come from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, according to the NGO Save the Children.