A chartered deportation flight from the United States landed safely in Guatemala City in the middle of the morning, its passengers a group of returning Guatemalan migrants. The sun occasionally burst through the clouds, offering a brief respite as the migrants disembarked, greeted by an emotional Guatemalan Vice President Karin Herrera and other officials. This operation has garnered significant attention following the recent inauguration of President Donald Trump, who has vowed to remove millions of undocumented migrants from the U.S.
The returning migrants, some of whom had resided and worked in the United States for years, left the country as criminals. They recounted being handcuffed on board until they were out of U.S. airspace. Among them was Sara Tot-Botoz, who had lived in Alabama for a decade. In the U.S., she worked in construction, roofing, and car repair while also caring for two of her children and grandchildren. Detained and taken to jail in Alabama, Tot-Botoz spent two months in detention before being transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention in Louisiana for an additional five months.
"It feels dangerous in the US now," Sara Tot-Botoz remarked, encapsulating the sentiments of many who shared her experience.
Upon arrival at the airport, migrants were processed back into Guatemala and directed to a reception center designed for returnees. Most waited patiently to receive a large plastic sack containing all their possessions from their time in the U.S. For many, those bags were all that remained from their lives abroad. The migrants were also given access to free power banks to charge their phones, allowing them to reach out to friends or relatives after months of separation.
Vice President Herrera's presence offered a moment of solace and pride for the migrants. After delivering a short speech in the arrival hall, she received applause from those assembled. Herrera reassured them that Guatemala remains committed to upholding their integrity and basic rights. This gesture was significant amid the emotional reunion scenes as many migrants had not been in contact with their families since their detention.
The deportation flight marks just one chapter in the broader narrative of U.S. immigration policy under President Trump. With his administration's aggressive stance on undocumented migrants, many fear similar fates await others who have built lives in America. The tone of uncertainty resonates deeply within communities affected by these policies.
For Sara Tot-Botoz and others like her, the journey back to Guatemala was bittersweet. While relieved to be reunited with loved ones, they face an uncertain future in a country they once left behind for better opportunities. The challenge now lies in rebuilding lives disrupted by enforced departure and navigating through an economy that may not readily accommodate them.
