Trump deportation moves threaten Central America

Significance

His trip followed the US government’s announcement, on February 21, of plans for a migrant crackdown that could see the number of Mexican and Central American deportees skyrocket. The region already receives a steady flow of deportees. However, if the US deportation rate increases, the countries of origin could experience far greater challenges in terms of pressure on public services, social dislocation and crime.

Impacts

• Increased deportations may be accompanied by reduced US funding to Central America.
• Central America and Mexico may seek to build on existing cooperation mechanisms to protect migrants.
• Large-scale migration will continue in the short term as migrants attempt to reach the US border before the wall is built.