Chicago – January 24, 2025
The U.S. military has started using C-17 aircraft to deport detained migrants, following orders from President Donald Trump. On Friday, two planes carried about 80 migrants each from the United States to Guatemala.
This marks the first time in recent memory that U.S. military aircraft have been used for deportations, a U.S. official told Reuters.
The State Department emphasized the cooperation between the U.S. and Guatemala, stating both countries are working to stop illegal migration and improve border security. “Deportation flights have begun,” said White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt in a post on X.
Trump declared illegal immigration a national emergency on his first day in office, tasking the U.S. military with helping secure the southern border. His executive order on January 20 instructed the Pentagon to send as many troops as needed for “complete operational control” of the U.S.-Mexico border.
The Pentagon announced it would help deport over 5,000 migrants held in El Paso, Texas, and San Diego, California. Troops from the 82nd Airborne Division are among those being sent to assist. The use of military aircraft for deportation is a new step, similar to how planes were used during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
