Washington/Mexico City: Mexico has declined a request from President Donald Trump’s administration to permit a U.S. military aircraft deporting migrants to land in the country, according to officials from both nations.
The U.S. military successfully conducted two flights, each carrying approximately 80 migrants, to Guatemala on Friday. However, plans to utilize a C-17 transport aircraft for a similar operation in Mexico were halted after the country refused landing permission.
Both a U.S. and a Mexican official confirmed the decision, initially reported by NBC News. Mexico’s foreign ministry issued a statement on Friday emphasizing its strong bilateral ties with the United States and ongoing cooperation on immigration matters.
“When it comes to repatriations, we will always accept the arrival of Mexicans to our territory with open arms,” the statement read.
The Mexican official did not provide an explanation for the refusal, and the foreign ministry’s statement did not reference the incident.
Mexico refused a request from the Trump administration to allow a US military aircraft deporting migrants to land in the country https://t.co/FQpIa3xeH6 pic.twitter.com/eujIHZFoi0
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 26, 2025
Immigration Policies in Focus
The Trump administration recently reinstated the controversial “Remain in Mexico” policy, requiring non-Mexican asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while their U.S. cases are processed. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum clarified on Wednesday that implementing such a policy necessitates Mexico’s consent, which had not been granted.
The U.S. State Department and Pentagon have not commented on the matter.
Bilateral Relations Amid Tensions
U.S.-Mexico relations have garnered renewed attention since President Trump began his second term with a national emergency declaration at the southern border. His administration has deployed 1,500 additional U.S. troops to the border and signaled the potential deployment of thousands more.
Recent actions, including Trump’s decision to designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations, renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, and threatening a 25% tariff on Mexican imports starting in February, have heightened tensions.
President Sheinbaum has sought to manage the situation diplomatically, expressing willingness to accept returning Mexican nationals but voicing opposition to mass deportations. She has also underscored the significant role of Mexican immigrants in the U.S. economy.
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Military Involvement in Deportations
The use of U.S. military aircraft for deportation flights marks an escalation in the Pentagon’s involvement following Trump’s emergency declaration. Historically, U.S. military aircraft have been utilized for relocating individuals during crises, such as the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. However, this operation represents a rare instance of military aircraft being used for deportation purposes.
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A Pentagon official disclosed plans to deport over 5,000 immigrants currently detained in El Paso, Texas, and San Diego, California. On Friday, Guatemala received a third deportation flight carrying about 80 migrants on a chartered commercial aircraft, according to Guatemalan authorities.
