Source: ABC News
Photo Credit: Luis Echeverria/Reuters
75% of the individuals on one deportation flight to Guatemala from the United States were later tested positive for COVID-19. The Guatemalan Immigration Institute has found that since March 13, 2020, over 1600 deportees have arrived from the United States. Guatemala, El Salvador, and Mexico have all asked the U.S. to stop all removals and deportations in order to halt the spread of the virus.
Rachel Schmidtke, Latin America advocate for Refugees International states, “Continuing to deport sick people who lack access to health care, a financial safety net or even basic necessities like potable water once they arrive in Guatemala is irresponsible and places unnecessary risks on some of the most vulnerable.”
U.S. Rep. Norma Torres states, “If the Trump Administration continues its callous deportation policies through the midst of this pandemic, the results will be predictable and tragic.” See here.