Guatemala sees rise in deportations and data privacy concerns

Guatemalan deportations from the United States have seen a significant increase, rising 56% compared to the previous year according to the Guatemalan Migration Institute. Records show that 42,221 nationals were deported in 2027, compared to 48,500 during the twelve months of 2025. Recent monthly data indicates fluctuations, with July seeing 7,035 deportations and August recording 6,379. The majority of those deported are adult men, totaling 37,938, while adult women and minors account for 3,339 and 994 respectively.

Separately, the Guatemalan government's digital tool, ConsulApp Guate, was disabled following an audit by the Contraloría General de Cuentas (CGC). The application, intended to facilitate consular appointments for migrants in the U.S., was found to lack essential technical viability assessments and confidentiality agreements to protect user data. Despite having over 18,000 downloads, the platform was decommissioned after the CGC identified irregularities, leading to criminal complaints against Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials. The Ministry of Public Affairs noted that investigations into the matter ceased after the contract was terminated and funds were returned.