Deportations amid the global pandemic

One of the most controversial issues that arose from the arrival of the Coronavirus in the US is the management of deportations in the midst of the health crisis.

Thousands of immigrant rights advocates have filed lawsuits against the Trump government over the current deportations.

They present several main arguments:

1. Most immigrants go to countries like Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, Mexico, inter alia.
   These countries do not have the economic strength to face the health crisis appropriately.
2. Deporting immigrants in the midst of the global pandemic is putting more vulnerable territories at risk and possibly exporting the virus.
3. Official figures show that there have been hundreds of positive cases of Coronavirus among immigrants deported to Central America.
4. The number of deportations has increased during the health crisis.
   This fact reiterates that the current government is using the pandemic as an excuse to carry out its plans.
5. Central American territory does not have enough health personnel or medical supplies to face a massive outbreak of Coronavirus.
6. As a First World country, the US has a duty to protect international human rights during the health crisis.

Trump’s government threat

Due to the alarming number of people infected with Coronavirus in the US, several governments from Central America, the Greater Antilles, and South America requested an end to deportations, at least temporarily, while the threat to public health diminishes.

However, the Trump government threatened to suspend visa and residence permit processes for countries that opposed receiving deportees during the health crisis.

Guatemala opposed the deportations

Despite President Trump’s threats, the Guatemalan government decided to temporarily suspend the entry of deported immigrants.

Guatemala’s official figures show that more than 25% of the total number of people infected with COVID-19 in the country come from immigrants deported from the US.

This means that more than 190 immigrants tested positive for Coronavirus after arriving from the US.

In addition to that, not all the deportees are legal citizens of Guatemala, many of them are sent to this country to request asylum there.

The Guatemalan government presented several arguments to explain the decision to suspend deportations from the US:

• There are not enough medical personnel.
• The infrastructure of the medical sector is not capable of accommodating a large number of people in the event of a massive outbreak of Coronavirus.
• The country has taken strict measures to mitigate the impact of the virus in its territory. Thus, it is unfair to bring it from other countries.
• Guatemala’s resources are enough to help only the local population.
• There are not enough medical supplies to save as many lives as possible.

Deportations to Guatemala resume

After almost a month since the suspension of deportations from the US to Guatemala, on Tuesday June 9, 2020 they resumed.

The measures taken by both governments to safely resume deportation flights are strict.

They are intended primarily to protect the Central American country:

• There can only be a certain number of people per flight.
• Medical personnel must test for Coronavirus before deporting immigrants.
• People who arrive in Guatemala must remain in mandatory quarantine for at least 15 days.

Deportation cases need to be handled carefully and professionally, feel free to contact Motion Law Immigration for specialized guidance.

Immigration processes

Gradually, we are seeing how immigration processes return to normal.

That’s why we recommend you to seek reliable help for your immigration case and avoid possible denial.

If you have any questions about an immigration issue or relating to a case you may have currently in progress, then please do not hesitate to contact us for a FREE Phone Consultation with one of our expert immigration attorneys.

Simply call Motion Law today at: (202) 918-1799.