Guatemala Readies to Welcome Deported Minors from the U.S., According to President

Guatemala's Readiness to Accept Minors

• Weekly Capacity: President Bernardo Arevalo announced that Guatemala is prepared to receive approximately 150 unaccompanied minors per week from the United States.
• Coordination with U.S.: The Guatemalan government is actively coordinating with U.S. authorities regarding the reception of these minors, although the final decision on numbers and timing lies with the American government.

Legal Context of Deportations

• Court Intervention: A U.S. federal judge has temporarily halted the deportation of 10 Guatemalan children, who were previously boarded onto planes for deportation. This order is in effect for 14 days while the case is under review.
• Legal Protections: Lawyers representing the minors argue that deporting them would violate protections established by Congress for vulnerable children, highlighting the potential dangers they could face if returned to Guatemala.

Broader Implications

• Impact on Minors: The halted deportations could affect hundreds of unaccompanied minors currently in U.S. custody, many of whom crossed the border to reunite with relatives.
• Political Context: The situation is influenced by the Trump administration's commitment to increasing deportations, which has faced legal challenges regarding constitutional rights and due process.