'Deportation flights have begun!' Trump sends clear message as shackled migrants loaded onto plane
Matt Goodwin asks if Britain should reduce foreign aid and follow in Trump's footsteps
GB News
Migrants in shackles have been pictured being loaded onto US military aircraft as Donald Trump hailed the victory as having sent a clear message to people wanting to enter the country illegally.
Dozens of migrants were seen boarding US military planes with the flights taking detained migrants out of America.
However, Mexico refused a request from Trump’s administration to allow a deportation plane to land in the country.
The White House released images of migrants being led to a plane in shackles on Friday.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on X: "Deportation flights have begun."
The White House released images of migrants being led to a plane in shackles on Friday.
X / Karoline Leavitt
"President Trump is sending a strong and clear message to the entire world: if you illegally enter the United States of America, you will face severe consequences."
Two aircraft carrying around 80 migrants flew from the US to Guatemala yesterday.
One C-17 departed from Biggs Army Air Field in Texas and another one left from Tucson, Arizona.
Another C-17 was due to land in Mexico but the country denied permission. It has not yet been revealed why the flight was denied landing.
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Mexico’s foreign ministry said they had a "very great relationship" with the US and cooperated with immigration issues.
This is the first time in recent history that military aircraft were used to fly migrants out of America, according to an official.
These planes have been used previously to relocate people from one country to another such as in 2021 during the US’s withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The US State Department said: "Guatemala and the United States are committed to putting an end to illegal migration and strengthening border security. Starting with two flights today."Guatemalan Vice President Karin Herrera’s office posted on Instagram a video of one of the planes landing, writing:
"The [Guatemalan government] remains committed to protecting the integrity of migrants. The vice presidency will continue to verify that the reception of the returnees is in a dignified and safe manner."
Around 79 Guatemalan migrants were returned to their country, all adults. There were 31 women and 48 men.
The Pentagon has said the US military would use the planes to deport over 5,000 immigrants held in Texas and California.
An executive order signed on January 20 told the Pentagon to send as many troops as necessary to obtain "complete operational control of the southern border of the United States"
Reuters
Trump declared illegal immigration a national emergency on his first day as President, tasking his military with boosting security at the Mexican border.
He has promised the largest deportation program in US history, employing his new "border czar" Tom Homan who claimed he will target "the worst, first".
An executive order signed on January 20 told the Pentagon to send as many troops as necessary to obtain "complete operational control of the southern border of the United States".
Earlier this week, the Trump administration revealed the US Military will send 1,500 extra troops to the Mexican border.
Meanwhile, hundreds have been arrested by ICE across the countries in places like New York, Chicago, and Denver.
Of the 538 arrests on Thursday, 373 were for criminal allegations and 165 were for non-criminal reasons. The number of daily arrests has doubled since September 2024.
The Department of Homeland Security said it would now allow ICE to arrest undocumented people at places such as schools and churches - a move that was barred under previous administrations.
"Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America's schools and churches to avoid arrest," the department said.
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