GLOBAL REACTIONS TO US IMMIGRATION POLICY SHIFTS
Short summarizing sentence
Mexican president Claudia Scheinbaum at the G20 summit in November
Eric Lee Pool/Associated Press
Last updated March 3, 2025 xx:xx (EST)
Introduction
Immigration to the United States is often talked about exclusively in regard to what America is doing—what is happening on America’s borders or what America’s policies are. Yet relatively little attention is paid to the actions of other countries, despite immigration’s international nature and the substantial ways in which other countries' policies impact the immigration that arrives at America’s borders. For example, while many attributed the drop in migrant encounters at the U.S. border from October 2023 to September 2024 to Biden’s heightened restrictions, it is just as easily attributed to Mexico’s increased enforcement along its own southern border starting in January 2024. In fact, some suggest the reduction was only half due to Biden’s actions, with the other half credited to Mexico (WOLA). Thus, knowing what other countries are doing is crucial to understanding immigration, especially given the Trump administration's recent flood of actions and attempted actions on immigration. Accordingly, this explainer provides an overview of some of the most notable reactions by other countries—from bilateral agreements to acts of defiance—to Trump’s hardline immigration policies.
A Look Around the World
MEXICO
Mexico has already begun to play a key role in the Trump 2.0 era. It’s government, headed by President Claudia Sheinbaum, made waves just days after Trump’s inauguration by refusing to allow deportation flights to land in Mexico—a likely signal of its disapproval of Trump policies it sees as restrictive and harsh, such as the infamous “remain in Mexico” policy (NBC). Nonetheless, it appears deportation flights have since landed in Mexico and, based on reports of non-Mexicans being deported to Mexico, that at least some aspects of “remain in Mexico” are in effect. (Al-Jazeera). Moreover, Mexico responded to Trump’s threatened 25% tariffs, initially set to take effect on February 4, by reaching a deal that halted the tariffs for 30 days in exchange for Mexico sending 10,000 Mexican National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border and committing to fight fentanyl—though many observers noted that these promises were already “in the works” before Trump took office. (Whitecase; NYT; NBC).
CANADA
Although Canada is not usually top of mind for immigration, the long-time ally was threatened with the same 25% tariffs deployed against Mexico, ostensibly as a way to coax Canada into curbing drug smuggling and illegal immigration—but with no regard for the damage such a trade war would have wrought on the North American Economy (NYT). With its own retaliatory tariffs at the ready, however, Canada also reached an agreement with the U.S., pausing the tariffs in exchange for Canada increasing border monitoring, establishing a “fentanyl czar”, and designating cartels as terrorist entities—though these actions are also believed to have already been planned prior to Trump’s inauguration (NYT; NBC).
EL SALVADOR
El Salvador recently came to a seemingly unprecedented agreement with the United States, offering the U.S. the option to ship both detained migrants of any nationality and convicted U.S. citizens to the Central American nation (AP News). If implemented, these people would be housed at Cecot, a massive prison capable of holding roughly 40,000 prisoners according to government officials (CBS News). The prison has been criticized by civil rights groups as inhumane, and President Bukele accused of suspending basic human rights; nonetheless, even while acknowledging that there are obvious legal issues to be sorted out, Secretary of State Rubio praised the offer as “very generous” (AP News).
GUATEMALA
The President of Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo, met with the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss accepting deportees into Guatemala. The two ultimately reached an agreement that “Guatemala would accept 40% more deportation flights from the United States, including both Guatemalan deportees and those of other nationalities” (Reuters). Such “third country agreements”—in which a nation accepts deported migrants who are citizens of other nations—facilitate increased deportations by offering a work-around for countries that don’t accept deportees. There was, however, no conversation about accepting dangerous criminals from other countries, despite Guatemala’s neighbor, El Salvador, offering to do so (Reuters).
VENEZUELA
After receiving Trump envoy Richard Grennell, Venezuela sent two planes to pick up Venezuelan deportees from the U.S.. The landing of those planes in Venezuela on February 10 marked the first time in years (except for a rare instance in October 2023) that the country has accepted deportees, representing a possible improvement in relations with America. Still, while the Venezuelan government confirmed the flights, it opposed the “false” narrative around the presence of Tren de Aragua gang members in the U.S. and stated that “most Venezuelan immigrants are decent hard working people” (AP News).
COLOMBIA
After Colombia initially refused to accept U.S. deportation flights, Colombian President Gustavo Petro got into a heated online argument with President Trump on January 26 that brought the two countries to the brink of a trade war. Trading posts back and forth on X, Trump threatened tariffs on Bogota and even authorized visa restrictions for Colombian officials he accused of interfering with the flights, while President Petro accused Trump of violating the dignity of deportees—sharing a video of Brazilian deportees bound by their hands and feet— and threatened retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods. However, with the U.S. being Colombia’s largest trading partner, Petro eventually backed down. The tariffs were dropped and Colombia agreed to accept deportees, though it appears Colombia will send its presidential plane to pick up Colombian nationals in the U.S. in a more dignified manner (AlJazeera.C)
HONDURAS
President Xiomara Castro of Honduras was one of the first Latin American leaders to speak out against Trump’s mass deportation plans, going so far as to suggest that she could expel the U.S. military from operating in her country depending on the new administration’s actions (NYT). Despite this rhetoric, the touchdown of a military plane carrying Honduran deportees on January 31 led to no reprisals. In fact, Honduras has confirmed its renewal of the agreement that allows the U.S. military to operate out of Honduran bases, although it has purportedly set conditions related to the scale of deportations and the treatment of deportees that, if violated, could lead Honduras to reevaluate the agreement (NYT).
INDIA
While not as prevalent as immigration from Central and South America, the surging number of Indian citizens entering the United States illegally has certainly drawn attention. As a result, the Trump administration has already begun deportation flights to India—flights whose incredible cruelty has drawn intense criticism. Horrifyingly, US immigration officials allegedly kept about 100 deported Indians in shackles for their entire 40-hour flight home, refusing to unchain them even during refueling stops or bathroom breaks. In response, Indian lawmakers demonstrated outside of parliament, while some citizens even burned an effigy of Trump in protest (CNN). Still, Prime Minister Modi of India—who has touted his friendship with President Trump—had a productive visit to the White House just days later, in which immigration was not a central topic (AP News).
CONCLUSION
As evidenced by the above discussions, various countries around the world are impacting and being impacted by U.S. immigration policy. Some are offering to help the Trump administration while others defy it, and some seek to gain while others see only losses. Regardless of each country’s stance, however, all of their actions and policies are and will continue to be crucial in understanding immigration policy as it undoubtedly experiences drastic changes in the coming days, months, and years.