Mexico and three other Central American governments are scrambling to help citizens who are in the United States illegally avoid deportation under a Trump administration, warning them to avoid making “hasty” moves that might make them a target for ouster.
Foreign ministers of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras met this week to address concerns about President-elect Trump’s plan to deport illegals, mostly those with criminal records. Their goal: Calm the fears of illegals, help them avoid deportation, and keep the flood of money they send home going.
Mexico and Guatemala announced plans to expand immigration services at their dozens of offices in the United States.
In a joint statement directed the illegals in the United States, the nations of the “Northern Triangle,” El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, said:
“The foreign ministers made a call to Guatemalans, Salvadorans and Hondurans, to continue observing and respecting the laws of that country, to stay calm and not make hasty decisions that endanger their personal safety, carry the necessary documents and approach their consulates for services and consular protection.”
Some six million from those three nations live in the U.S.
Mexico is apparently taking the lead, according to El Pais. “The Northern Triangle countries will rely on how Mexico serves its nationals in the 50 consulates that have in the United States,” said the news site.
The Center for Immigration Studies said in an analysis by Kausha Luna said that the nations are also planning to determine how many illegals, especially youths, are in the U.S. that might need protection from deportation.
“Guatemala’s foreign minister added that he has asked Mexico to work together, through their respective consulates in the United States, to share information and identify the various ‘civil human rights organizations in the United States, enabling them to better protect the rights of migrants and coordinate with local authorities,'” according to CIS.
“Additionally, the four countries agreed to initiate a program, using consular documentation, to find out how many adults and unaccompanied alien children (UAC’s) reside in the United States,” added the immigration watchdog group.
El Pais said the Central American nations “do not rule out” mass deportations, but apparently hope to negotiate a deal with Trump.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
