Since 2025 began until March 16, 8 thousand 17 Guatemalan migrants returned from Mexico and the United States have entered the country, according to records of the Guatemalan Institute of Migration (IGM).
The figure remains below the amount of nationals deported last year, when, as of March 6, 2024, they were counted 20 thousand 65 people in irregular situation They returned to the country.
The IGM notes that eight out of 10 returned this year are men and, of the remaining group, two out of 10 are women.
The information collected in the Air Force Return Center indicates that 3 thousand 413 migrants declared having served some trade during his passage through Mexico and the United States.
From a list of 89 registered trades, the 10 main activities reported show that 48.7% of migrants worked in different jobs in the construction sector. Of that percentage, 4.3% worked in Mexico and 95.6% in the United States.
10.9% of deportees worked as a cook; 8.2%, in agriculture; 5.5%, in gardening; 3.6%, as a painter; 2.2%, in mechanics, and a similar proportion, in carpentry.
The returnees also served as electricians (1.8%), waiters (1.4%) and in the maintenance area (1.4%).
In the list of other trades performed by the deportees, merchant, pilot, welder, wineries, machinery operator, cashier, seller, mason, baker, butcher, garbage collector and craftsman are mentioned.
According to the IGM report, 7.7% of the people who reported having a trade indicated that they exercised it during their permanence in Mexican territory; The rest did it in the United States.
Stéphanie Daviot, Mission Chief of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), mentions that in Guatemala, labor is needed in different sectors and people who respond to that need are required. In that context, migrants who return with skills in certain trades can occupy those spaces.
Of those deported between January 1 and March 16, There are 4,604 people of whom there is no information regarding whether they have a trade or profession. The reason, according to the institution, is that this figure excludes minors, as well as the Guatemalans detained when entering the border with the United States, so they failed to establish themselves or obtain employment. There are also cases of people identified in Mexican territory.
English domain
Among Guatemalan migrants returned from Mexico and the United States, only 994 indicated that they speak English, while thousand 162 indicated that they understand it. According to the IGM, speaking and understanding the language represents an advantage for the insertion of these people in the labor market in Guatemala.
That few have some domain of English is because many were arrested before arriving in the United States or, in other cases, the time they resided in that country was short, said Maria del Mar in love, spokeswoman for the institution.
For now, he indicated that there is no information about how long the Guatemalans remained in US territory before being deported, because the time destined to register them in the return center of returnees, in the Guatemalan Air Force, is limited. Therefore, only some questions are asked to enter the database and, subsequently, monitor each case.
In love he informed that a call center will be enabled to contact the returnees and, with their authorization, carry out a detailed interview with the purpose of incorporating them into the programs of the home return plan and building an individual profile of each person.
To those who give their consent, they will be applied a 90 questions, through which it will be known how long they remained in the United States, the reasons for their mobility, if they were victims of human trafficking, if they require medical assistance or wish to reintegrate into the educational system, among other aspects.
Opportunities
In Guatemala there is a need for labor, and returned migrants arrive with skills in different fields. What should be done, ”says Daviot, is connect these people with job opportunities, which represents a challenge. In sectors such as construction there is high demand for personnel. If 48.7 % of those deported were considered and has knowledge in that field, these skills can be used.
He adds that the home return plan, promoted by the government of Bernardo Arévalo, is a sign of political will to support returnees and incorporate them into the labor market.
“The approach to the private sector is key. We must continue with this effort and approach the sources of work to identify how we can connect to the people with whom they offer these job opportunities.”
Stéphanie Daviot, head of mission of the IOM
The home return plan seeks the reintegration of returnees to society and the labor market, according to government authorities. Among the initiatives that integrate it is the Temporary Work Program abroad, which allows them to access jobs in other countries legally and safely.
On the other hand, through the Oportuguate platform, the Ministry of Labor promotes labor insertion in the country. There is also the scholarship of my first job, which facilitates access to a first formal work for returnee. The Ministry of Economy provides support for entrepreneurship for those who want to start their own business. In addition, the Ministry of Education and the Technical Institute of Training and Productivity (Intecap) aim to train and grant certifications that improve the professional profile of people.
Deported
The IGM record indicates that they have returned from Mexico to Guatemala 1,494 people. Of that total, 52.3% did so by air and 47.7%, by land. From the United States 6,523 have arrived81.3% of migrants.
From the group of deportees, both from Mexico and the United States, 80% are men. Besides, 8% correspond to minors, who mostly traveled accompanied by their relatives.
During 2025, until March 16, 75 flights with deported migrants have entered the country; On average, each transferred one hundred Guatemalans.