Mexico rejects US request for military aircraft to deport migrants: Sources

US-Mexico relations intensified since Trump began his second term on Monday

Web Desk

25 Jan, 2025

World

A drone view shows U.S. authorities expelling migrants, mostly Venezuelans, as they are met by Mexican authorities at the Jeronimo-Santa Teresa border crossing, as seen from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, January 24, 2025. Reuters

Mexico has rejected a request from President Donald Trump’s administration to allow a US military aircraft to land in the country while deporting migrants, according to officials from both nations.

The US military aircraft carried out two flights, each transporting about 80 migrants to Guatemala. However, plans to land a C-17 transport aircraft in Mexico were halted after the country denied permission on January 24.

A Mexican official confirmed the decision, first reported by NBC News. In a statement, Mexico’s foreign ministry emphasized the country’s strong relationship with the US and its cooperation on immigration issues. “When it comes to repatriations, we will always accept the arrival of Mexicans to our territory with open arms,” the ministry stated.

The Mexican official did not provide a reason for the denial, and the foreign ministry did not address the incident further. Earlier this week, Trump’s administration announced the re-launch of the “Remain in Mexico” program, which requires non-Mexican asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases are processed in the US. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum noted that such arrangements would need Mexico’s agreement, which has not been given.

US-Mexico relations have intensified since Trump began his second term on Monday, declaring a national emergency at the border and ordering 1,500 additional US troops to the area, with more potentially deploying soon. Trump has also labeled Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations and threatened a 25% duty on Mexican goods starting in February.

While Sheinbaum has expressed willingness to accommodate returning Mexican nationals, she opposes mass deportations, asserting that Mexican immigrants are vital to the US economy.

The deployment of US military aircraft for deportation flights is part of the Pentagon’s response to Trump’s national emergency declaration. This marks the first recent instance of US military aircraft being used for such purposes, although they have previously relocated individuals during events like the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. The Pentagon plans to use military flights to deport over 5,000 immigrants currently held by US authorities in El Paso, Texas, and San Diego, California.

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