Mexico has refused to allow a U.S. military plane, which was transporting illegal immigrants, to land within its borders, according to a report from NBC News on Friday.
As a result, the military transport plane never left the U.S., the report states. However, two Air Force C-17 aircraft, each carrying 80 illegal immigrants, departed for Guatemala later that night, NBC News added.
The reason behind Mexico’s refusal to permit the flight remains unclear.
In a statement released early Friday, the White House confirmed that “deportation flights have begun,” and provided details about the deportation of “538 illegal immigrant criminals, including a suspected terrorist, four members of the Tren de Aragua gang, and several illegals convicted of sex crimes against minors” in the initial days of President Donald Trump’s administration.
Trump had previously announced the use of military planes to support deportation efforts. The Pentagon deployed four Air Force C-17 and C-130 planes to assist in the removal of migrants as part of the president’s broad approach to address illegal immigration.
The Air Force also confirmed this week that it was sending these planes, along with their crews and additional personnel, to San Diego and El Paso, Texas.
The Pentagon’s deployment to the border includes the addition of 1,500 active-duty troops to the 2,500 already stationed there.
This week, Mexico has been preparing to receive back immigrants, setting up large tents along the U.S. border. Nogales, Mexico, which is located across from Nogales, Arizona, announced plans to create shelters on soccer fields and inside a gymnasium. Similar initiatives have been launched in the border cities of Matamoros and Piedras Negras.
Additionally, President Trump revealed plans this week to impose a 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada starting on February 1, citing what he perceives as insufficient border security measures to prevent the influx of fentanyl and migrants entering the U.S.
{Matzav.com}