(DailyAnswer.org) – Officials in Central America are raising concerns about their ability to manage the possible return of hundreds of thousands of citizens from the United States if former President Donald Trump’s proposed deportation program moves forward. Trump has made it clear he plans to deport millions of illegal immigrants, estimated between 11 and 22 million, with the help of Thomas Homan, his incoming Border Czar.
Leaders in countries like Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador have told reporters that their nations are not ready for such an influx. These nations lack the resources and infrastructure to handle the return of so many people who left their countries in search of better opportunities in the U.S.
Honduras’ deputy foreign minister, Antonio García, expressed his worries about the situation, saying, “We don’t have the capacity to take so many people. There’s very little here for deportees.” García added that returning migrants are often the last to receive government assistance, leaving them with few options once they’re back.
The significant number of illegal immigrants from these nations currently living in the U.S. is a pressing concern. For instance, approximately 560,000 Hondurans reside in the U.S. without legal status—around 5% of the country’s population. Migration experts believe about 150,000 of them could be located and quickly deported under Trump’s plan.
Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are pushing President Joe Biden to sign executive orders that would protect large groups of illegal immigrants from being deported. These actions are seen as a way to prevent future administrations from enforcing mass deportations.
Under the Biden administration, migration at the U.S.-Mexico border has surged. In less than four years, nearly 8 million migrants have crossed the border, and a congressional report found that 85% of them were released into the U.S. interior.
This looming issue raises important questions about how the U.S. handles immigration and the responsibilities of countries whose citizens have emigrated in large numbers. While Trump’s plans may resonate with his supporters, the potential fallout for Central America—and the U.S.—could be substantial.
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