According to reports, Mexican authorities have prevented a US military plane from deporting illegal migrants after Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown started.
American officials told NBC News that a packed jet did not take off after authorities south of the border rejected the move.
The flight was one of three that were scheduled to take off recently alongside two Guatemala-bound Air Force C-17s carrying more 150 people, as part of what Trump has described as the biggest mass deportation effort in the history of US.
Deporting migrants to foreign countries needs permission from the incoming nation’s government, which Mexico declined..
It was not clear immediately why Mexico blocked the flight, but tensions between the U.S. and Mexico, neighbours and longtime allies, have increased since Trump won the November election. Trump has threatened to implement 25% across-the-board tariffs on Mexico in retaliation for migrants crossing the border both countries share.
A White House official said in a recent text message that “the flights thing was an administrative issue and was quickly rectified.”
Later, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt tweeted: “Yesterday, Mexico accepted a record 4 deportation flights in 1 day!”
Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement did not detail why the U.S. plane was not allowed to land in the country.
The statement read:“Mexico has a very good relationship with the United States government and we cooperate with respect for our sovereignty on a wide range of issues, including migration. When it comes to repatriations, we will always welcome the arrival of Mexicans to our territory with open arms. Mexico embraces you.”
