Arrested under Biden, deported under Trump: Guatemalans sent back and welcomed with cookies

When the doors opened, dozens of men and women were ushered to a reception center where first they were greeted by Guatemalan Vice President Karin Herrera and other officials.

The flight landed safely in the middle of the morning, the sun occasionally bursting through the clouds over Guatemala City. But instead of taxiing to International Arrivals, the plane headed towards the military side of the airport as fighter jets screamed above, weaving around in training exercises. When the aircraft doors opened, dozens of men and women were ushered onto the tarmac where they were greeted by an emotional Guatemalan Vice President Karin Herrera and other officials and then led into a reception center for returnees. “Good morning!” one shouted. “How are you, paisanos (countrymen)?” This was a chartered deportation flight from the United States, an operation that’s gained new attention since the inauguration of President Donald Trump last week and his promises to remove millions of undocumented migrants. If there was any shame or animosity when the flight left Alexandria, Louisiana, just before sunrise, none of that was evident when the migrants walked back on Guatemalan soil, many shuffling in open sneakers — the laces having been taken by US authorities in a common safety practice, and never returned.