ICE ROUTES MEXICAN DEPORTEES 2,000 MILES SOUTH TO TAPACHULA VIA ALEXANDRIA HUB

USA TODAY reports the U.S. has been flying planeloads of Mexican nationals to Tapachula and Villahermosa in southern Mexico, a removal strategy that places deportees far from the U.S. border. Flights began in February 2025, peaked daily by August, then eased in September, with many returnees having long ties to the U.S. and facing trauma and reintegration hurdles. Operations are routed through ICE’s Alexandria, LA staging hub and rely on private charters under DHS contracts. Advocates say the approach aims to deter reentry and raises humanitarian and transparency concerns.