Mexico halts U.S. deportation flight amid Trump policy tensions

Mexico refused to allow a deportation flight from the United States to land, which became a hindrance to U.S. President Donald Trump's intense immigration enforcement measures. Two U.S. Air Force C-17 flights earlier that day successfully transported approximately 160 deportees to Guatemala after the flight was aborted. However, Mexico's refusal to accept the plane raised questions, on which no immediate explanation was given. The White House blamed the issue for administrative glitches. A White House official said in text that the flight issue was an administrative issue and was quickly resolved.

The incident came amid rising tensions between President Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. Trump recently threatened to impose a 25 percent tariff on Mexican imports in response to the ongoing migration crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border. Despite this, Mexico has cooperated in deportation operations, reportedly accepting a record four deportation flights in a single day, as well as implementing measures such as mobilizing 30,000 National Guard troops and facilitating a "stay in Mexico" policy.

On Thursday alone, nearly 2,000 migrants were deported, with another 5,000 detained within Mexico's borders. As of Friday evening, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had reported 593 arrests and issued 449 detentions, the New York Post reported.

Trump has declared a national emergency at the southern border, significantly easing restrictions on ICE operations. Federal agents have been authorized to raid previously prohibited places such as courts and churches. Sanctuary cities such as Boston, Denver and Atlanta saw large-scale operations earlier throughout the day in Trump's office, resulting in the arrest of 308 immigrants from more than a dozen countries.

White House Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt highlighted Mexico's cooperation, saying that "Thanks to President Trump, yesterday Mexico accepted a record four deportation flights in one day! This is in addition to the unrestricted return to the land border, the deportation of non-Mexicans and the resumption of living in Mexico. Mexico has also mobilized 30,000 National Guards. "