Mexico has rejected a request from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to allow a military aircraft deporting migrants to land on Mexican territory, according to officials from both nations, reports Reuters.
This decision comes amidst heightened tensions over immigration policies, following Trump’s declaration of a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border earlier this week.
Denial of U.S. Military Landing Request
A U.S. C-17 transport aircraft, intended to deport around 80 migrants, was denied landing rights by Mexico. While similar flights were successfully carried out to Guatemala, Mexico’s refusal marks a significant divergence in cooperation. The Mexican Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to repatriating its nationals but did not address the denial of the landing request directly.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized that mass deportations require bilateral agreements, stating, “We have not agreed to such measures.”
Intensified Border Measures
Trump’s administration recently announced the revival of the controversial “Remain in Mexico” program, mandating non-Mexican asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for their U.S. immigration cases to conclude. This policy, alongside the deployment of 1,500 additional U.S. troops and the proposed 25% tariff on Mexican imports, has strained relations further.
Additionally, Trump has declared Mexican drug cartels terrorist organizations and controversially renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
Broader Implications
The Pentagon has indicated plans to use military aircraft for deporting over 5,000 migrants from detention centers in El Paso, Texas, and San Diego, California. However, Mexico’s rejection may complicate these operations and underscores resistance to U.S. immigration policies.
While Sheinbaum has expressed willingness to support Mexican nationals returning from the U.S., she opposes mass deportations and highlights the economic contributions of Mexican immigrants to the U.S. economy.
