Mexico denied the U.S. access to land a military plane transporting illegal immigrants in its country on Thursday, NBC News reported Friday.
The military transport never took off from the U.S., according to the report. Meanwhile, two Air Force C-17s carrying 80 illegals apiece flew for Guatemala on Thursday night, according to NBC News.
It’s unclear why Mexico blocked the flight.
The White House early Friday announced that "deportation flights have begun," adding that "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," were deported in the early days of President Donald Trump’s administration.
Trump announced the use of military aircraft to assist in the deportation flights. The Pentagon deployed four Air Force C-17 and C-130 aircraft to transport migrants out of the country as part of the president's broad strategy to crack down on illegal immigration.
The Air Force this week said week it was deploying the aircraft along with their crews and other personnel to San Diego and El Paso, Texas.
The Pentagon's deployment to the border also includes 1,500 active-duty troops who will be added to the 2,500 active-duty troops already there.
Mexico this week has been preparing to accept immigrants back, raising sprawling tents on the U.S. border. Nogales, Mexico — across from Nogales, Arizona — announced it would build shelters on soccer fields and in a gymnasium. The border cities of Matamoros and Piedras Negras have launched similar efforts.
Trump this week outlined plans to slap 25% tariffs on Mexico — on Canada as well — on Feb. 1 over what he sees as inadequate border security to stop the flow of fentanyl and migrants from crossing into the U.S.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
Mark Swanson ✉
Mark Swanson, a Newsmax writer and editor, has nearly three decades of experience covering news, culture and politics.
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