The US is Putting Pressure on Honduras to Sanction Those Who Facilitate Irregular Migration

The United States has decided to go further in its immigration policy . The Donald Trump administration announced that it will revoke visas to foreign government officials who facilitate migration to its southern border, whether by omission or deliberate action.

The measure, disclosed in a statement by the State Department , is specifically aimed at immigration, customs, airport and port authorities that facilitate the passage of irregular migrants.

In Honduras, the announcement has set off alarm bells, and the government has made its position clear: any official who facilitates irregular migration will be punished.

“The government is against human trafficking and smuggling. We do not support irregular migration and we understand the State Department’s measure,” said Vice Foreign Minister Tony García .

Warning to Honduran officials

García was blunt in his warning. “Any official who uses his power to facilitate the transit of migrants should be concerned, because it is not the policy of this government to allow it,” he declared.

However, he insisted that any sanctions must be based on thorough investigations and not subjective accusations.

The Vice Chancellor also expressed that any process must be done based on a documented process.

Experts criticize the measure: “It is a step backwards”

Trump’s tougher immigration policy has generated mixed reactions. For migration expert Sally Valladares , the measure represents “a step backwards” since it prioritizes national security over human security .

“We have seen an increase in military presence at the borders, which stigmatizes migrants and reinforces the criminalization of migration,” he explained.

According to Valladares, Honduras has had a policy of openness towards migrants in transit, which was reflected in the declaration of a migration emergency in 2022 .

This allowed more than 500,000 migrants to cross the country with official documentation.

“Now the challenge is to see how the Honduran government will respond to this pressure from the United States,” he added.

Rolando Sierra, director of the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences ( Flacso) in Honduras , agrees that the measure is part of Trump’s strategy to curb migration.

“It affects all processes and instances related to migration,” he explained. According to Sierra, the measure also seeks to pressure the region’s governments to adopt stricter policies on their borders.

Honduras’ role in migration

Karen Valladares, national coordinator of Cristosal Honduras , warns that the measure could have a negative impact on migration management in Honduras.

He recalled that the country has taken a key role in protecting migrants and has signed international agreements to ensure orderly and safe transit.

“The United States should be looking at the work of Central American governments rather than imposing unilateral sanctions,” he said.

For Valladares, the best solution is to strengthen dialogue in international forums such as theRegional Conference on Migration , where governments and civil society organizations participate.

“The United States is imposing drastic measures, but what will it do with migrants who cross through blind spots?” he asked.

Guatemala seals its borders with the feared Kaibiles

Meanwhile, Guatemala has already taken drastic measures. Since Monday, March 3, 2025, the government has deployed its feared elite unit, the Kaibiles , on the borders with Honduras, El Salvador and Mexico .

The operation, called “Ring of Fire” , aims to stop the passage of migrants and drug trafficking.

The Guatemalan Army’s Mountain Operations Brigade is already patrolling the blind spots on the border with Mexico, covering 132 kilometers of irregular crossings, with the intention of expanding surveillance to the 1,000 kilometers of border.

This military reinforcement, far from deterring migration, could push migrants towards more dangerous and clandestine routes.

A measure that redefines immigration policy

With its new visa restriction policy, the United States is seeking to exert greater control over the flow of migrants in the region, putting pressure on governments to tighten their policies.

But experts warn that the impact could be broader: criminalization of migration, increased danger for migrants and possible arbitrary sanctions against officials in countries that already face enormous challenges in managing migration.

Meanwhile, experts say, migrants will continue to seek a path to the American dream, no matter the walls, soldiers or sanctions.