Central American countries are bracing for what could be a significant influx of deported migrants as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump prepares to implement sweeping changes to immigration policy, including mass deportations. The situation is particularly dire for nations like Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador, which have significant populations living illegally in the United States.
According to analysis by the Associated Press, these Central American nations are poorly equipped to deal with the burgeoning number of individuals returning from the U.S. The specter of mass deportations raises serious questions about their capability to reintegrate returning citizens who are often escaping dire conditions, including violence, poverty, and political instability.
Jason Houser, former chief of staff at Immigration & Customs Enforcement, warned, "Hondurans, Guatemalans, Salvadorans need to be very, very nervous because (Trump officials) are going to press the bounds of the law." With the Trump administration planning to prioritize the deportation of “the most vulnerable” migrants who may not have criminal records, it puts additional strain on the limited resources of these countries.
Christine Wade, Political Science Department Chair at Washington College, echoed this concern by stating, "Central American countries are poorly prepared to receive a significant influx of deportees from the United States." The lack of state capacity to effectively take care of deportees is frighteningly evident, with few concrete programs established for reintegration. Most initiatives to assist returnees are managed by non-governmental organizations lacking the resources to handle sudden large numbers.
Antonio Garcia, Honduras' deputy foreign minister, acknowledged the country’s challenges, stating, "We don’t have the capacity to take so many people... There’s very little here for deportees." This sentiment is highlighted by the shocking statistic of around 560,000 Hondurans currently living illegally in the U.S., representing about 5% of the entire population.
Among those deported is Norma, a 69-year-old mother who returned to Honduras after fleeing with her daughter and granddaughter. She expressed her fears saying, "They can find us in every corner of Honduras. We’re praying for God’s protection because we don’t expect anything from the government." Such experiences reflect the panicked and desperate circumstances many face on their return.
Since 2015, Honduras has already received about half a million deportees, many of whom face immediate peril upon their return, exacerbated by the presence of gangs and lack of economic opportunities. Many deportees hope for financial support from home, but the reality of limited resources compounds their situation.
“We don’t know what we’ll do, what come next,” shared one deportee when confronted by the uncertainty of their future. New arrivals often find little more than basic survival support at processing centers following their return.
Even when aid is available, the transition back to life in Honduras is fraught with difficulties. Larissa Martínez, who was deported from the U.S. with her three children, has struggled to find work and support her family, drowning under the burden of debt and desperation. Martínez’s story epitomizes the broader struggles of deportees attempting to reintegrate.
César Muñoz, from the Mennonite Social Action Commission, warned, "We’re at the brink of a new humanitarian crisis," pointing to the overwhelming demands placed on already stretched aid networks as deportation flights begin to ramp up.
The response of other Central American nations remains cautious. Guatemala, which has more than 750,000 citizens living unauthorized within the U.S., has started strategizing on handling potential mass deportations. Meanwhile, Mexican leadership has taken preliminary steps to bolster legal services anticipating Trump’s potential policy shifts.
The overarching result of increased deportations poses significant consequences for regional economics, especially as remittances from the U.S. represent lifelines for many Central American families. The idea of mass deportations creates fears of destabilizing the fragile economies already struggling under heavy poverty lines.
Deportees like Kimberly Orellana, who had recently been caught attempting to cross back over the border after being sent back, reflect the relentless quest many face to reunify with loved ones. She was separated from her daughter, awaiting her return, determined to try again against sinking odds. While it’s clear the U.S. is tightening its immigration policies, the cyclical nature of poverty, violence, and desperation increase the likelihood of migration continuing to flow – regardless of deportation policies.
