America has begun military deportation flights as part of Donald Trump’s purge on illegal immigration. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the use of C-17 military aircraft with nearly 600 people removed under the program so far. Officials have described the effort as “unprecedented” in scale and speed.
Agents arrested nationals from a slew of countries, including Afghanistan, Angola, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Senegal and Venezuela. Officials said those deported had criminal histories of sexual assault, robbery, burglary, aggravated assault, drug and weapons offences, resisting arrest, and domestic violence.
The White House released images of one of the flights repatriating around 75 to 80 Guatemalan nationals from El Paso, Texas. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasised the administration’s tough stance on illegal immigration in a post on X.
“Just as he promised, President Trump is sending a strong message to the world : those who enter the United States illegally will face serious consequences,” she wrote. Another flight from Tucson, Arizona, carried approximately 80 Guatemalans back to their country.
The swift use of military resources for these deportations underscores Trump’s determination to strict enforcement of immigration laws. The actions coincide with a series of broader policy changes. The President signed an executive order suspending decisions on refugee cases, and the US State Department has halted new refugee applications. Additionally, processing centres in Central and South America, established under the Biden-era Safe Mobility Initiative, have been dismantled.
