On vacation here in Guatemala, my husband and I had the opportunity to chat at some length with a Guatemalan woman who works at the airport, these days helping returning Guatemalan deportees. We are struck by the contrast between the Trump administration’s abrupt and cruel deportations, and the sensitivity with which Guatemalans are welcomed to their country.

According to our source, who asked to not be named, Guatemala receives 1,000 or more deportees per week. We asked for information for one day, and the previous day was used as an example. Each day, the Guatemalan Immigration Office receives a list in advance of the number on each flight, the names of the individuals, ages, and the origin of the flight.

On the day we spoke about there were three flights of deportees — one a military plane and the other two charters. The total of 297 people was about 80% male, 20% female. There were many families. Six children included one unaccompanied minor. About 40% were Maya. A maximum of five of the individuals might be considered high risk with any kind of criminal background and often those troubles were for minor infractions.

When a flight of deportees arrives, immigration officials enter the plane and walk down the aisle to welcome the deportees to Guatemala. When the arrivals deplane they enter a room where they are offered donated food (Wendy’s was mentioned) while a marimba band plays. They are then offered the opportunity to call friends or family to report their whereabouts and to say they have arrived safely. Calls can be made in-country or back to the US. These calls typically end in tears.

Folks are then offered things to fit their immediate needs — clothes, toothpaste, toilet paper, sanitary pads, etc. Immigration officials interview them. Assets left behind in the US? Debts? Skills? Family in Guatemala? Clinical psychologists, lawyers and doctors are all there and available to assist in the short term, and a call-center is available to offer assistance in the longer term. The International Organización para las Migraciones (OIM) is also present to offer support to the returnees.

Some folks are able to find family or friends to stay with the first night, while others are accommodated in a shelter.

The deportees are traumatized, frightened and desperate. On this day just one was happy to be back in Guatemala. He had sent enough money home to family from the US, for them to build a house — he was content to return.

From our informant’s description it is clear that these folks are welcomed with respect and patience. How different from the way they are rounded up in our country.

Our informant summarized her viewpoint, laying blame in two places — on the US for not respecting human rights (and in particular for not signing the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration), and on Guatemala, where continued corruption makes it difficult to earn a decent wage.

Helen Whyte is a retired planning and community development specialist. She lives in Lyme.