# US immigration enforcement and deportation policies

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-immigration-enforcement-and-deportation-policies
> Updated: 2026-08-18T14:09:00.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

The United States has implemented new measures regarding the management and enforcement of immigration policies involving Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras.

In early August 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initiated a procurement process to hire private firms for a program called “Location and Payment Recovery Services.” The goal is to locate migrants in Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras who have outstanding civil immigration fines totaling approximately $423 million. The program involves verifying identities and arranging for the payment of these debts, with a budget of up to $9 million over two years.

By mid-August, reports emerged that U.S. immigration authorities have been deporting Mexican citizens to Guatemala and Honduras instead of returning them to Mexico. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials indicated this practice aims to deter irregular migration by sending individuals further south. The Mexican Foreign Ministry has expressed strong opposition to these actions, noting that no agreement exists to allow the deportation of its nationals to third countries.

## Claims

- The Trump administration is deporting Mexican migrants to Guatemala and Honduras instead of returning them to Mexico. (disputed by 3 sources)
- Hundreds of Mexican citizens have been sent to Honduras and Guatemala over several months. (disputed by 3 sources)
- Mexico rejects the deportation of its nationals to third countries and has no agreement for such actions. (disputed by 3 sources)
- Deportation flights cross Mexican territory to reach Central American destinations. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The objective is to deter irregular migration from Mexico by sending citizens further south. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The U.S. administration is using all lawful options to conduct its deportation operations. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-18: U.S. deporting Mexican migrants to Guatemala and Honduras

U.S. authorities are reportedly deporting Mexican migrants to Guatemala and Honduras instead of Mexico to deter migration, prompting formal rejection from the Mexican government.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-deporting-mexican-migrants-to-guatemala-and-honduras

### 2026-08-06: US hires private firms to locate deported migrants in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras for unpaid fines

CBP seeks a U.S. firm to locate deported migrants in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras to collect $423 million in unpaid immigration fines from about 66,000 people.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-to-locate-migrants-in-mexico-guatemala-honduras-for-unpaid-fines

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Cite as: US immigration enforcement and deportation policies. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-immigration-enforcement-and-deportation-policies