Can Belize Expect Massive Deportation of Belizeans?

President-elect Donald Trump’s mass deportation plans have many illegal immigrants in U.S. soil sitting on the edge of their seats. Trump’s plan is set to launch after his inauguration on January 20, and it is expected to remove millions of undocumented immigrants, including those with temporary protections.

As of 2022, approximately 11 million immigrants lived in the U.S. illegally, with some estimates suggesting this number has risen to 13-14 million. A substantial portion of undocumented immigrants come from Mexico, with other top countries including Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.

Guatemala has expressed willingness to accept citizens from other Central American countries deported from the United States as part of its efforts to foster a positive relationship with the incoming Trump administration. According to Prime Minister John Briceño, Belize will not.

When asked about possible pressure, he added, “We are a sovereign nation, and they cannot force us to accept people that are not citizens from this country. And as far as I am concerned, we are not going to accept any citizen that is not Belizean.” 

Could Belize face a significant influx of Belizeans being deported from the United States due to their undocumented status?

When asked about it today, Briceño stated, “We are concerned about any mass deportation, but when it comes to Belizeans, we have to welcome them. This is their home.”

Briceño also addressed the situation for Belizeans with criminal records who may be deported. He said, “If they send anybody with a criminal record, we hope that when they come, they will be productive citizens, but we cannot stop them from coming back to Belize,” adding that “There are no if’s or but’s about that.”