A U.S. Air Force aircraft transported 80 migrants, who were restrained at the wrists and ankles, back to Guatemala on Thursday. The flight took a longer route to bypass Mexican airspace, as current regulations require more prior notice for U.S. military flights than the Trump administration is able to provide for rapid deportations.
This flight demonstrates an increasing involvement of the U.S. military in enforcing immigration laws, as the administration aims to complement civilian charter flights operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The mission originated from Fort Bliss, an Army installation located in El Paso, Texas, and lasted over six hours—nearly double the time it would take on a more direct flight path.
Historically, avoiding Mexican airspace has been a standard procedure for U.S. military operations. According to the Transportation Command of the U.S. Defense Department, military flight operations over Mexico necessitate diplomatic clearance at least a week before departure. They are currently coordinating deportation flights with significantly shorter notice.
Yael Schacher, who heads the Americas and Europe division at Refugees International, noted that while the use of military crafts for deportations is unusual, it is primarily “largely symbolic.” The Trump administration has also utilized military aircraft to return migrants to various countries including Guatemala, Ecuador, and Colombia.
The Mexican government indicated that it had not received any requests from the U.S. for permission to allow the flight to cross its airspace.
Onboard the aircraft parked at Fort Bliss, the migrants were seated in rows within the spacious cargo area, dressed in everyday clothing and wearing surgical masks. U.S. Border Patrol agents and military personnel were present at the top of the cargo ramp prior to the takeoff into the cold winter weather.
“The message for those individuals is clear: if you cross the border illegally, we will send you back to your home country within hours,” U.S. Border Patrol spokesman Orlando Marrero stated on Thursday.
U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar, a Democrat representing a district near the Texas border, commented that other nations would understandably require advance notice regarding U.S. military aircraft entering their airspace. “Certain countries are not fond of military aircraft operating within their territories,” Cuellar explained, noting that logistical arrangements must be established beforehand to avoid in-flight complications.
Recently, Colombian President Gustavo Petro denied entry to two U.S. military planes carrying migrants, which led President Trump to threaten a 25% tariff on Colombian goods. Later, Colombia relented and agreed to accept the migrants, albeit through its own military flights that would ensure their dignity, according to Petro.
The Pentagon had commenced deploying active-duty soldiers to the border the previous week, though their exact role was still uncertain. These troops have traditionally provided support in various capacities since the Bush administration, including conducting aerial surveillance, constructing barriers, and maintaining vehicles.
An 1878 statute restricts military involvement in domestic law enforcement activities, though the Trump administration has hinted at possible invocation of wartime powers. On Inauguration Day, Trump signed an order declaring a border emergency, suggesting that the Defense Department might collaborate on detention and transportation efforts, which are significant financial concerns.
On Thursday, Trump announced plans for a U.S. facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to accommodate migrants, asserting that it could hold as many as 30,000 individuals. This plan could potentially double the current detention capacity of ICE.
