The Guatemalan government has firmly denied claims that an 82-year-old Chilean man, Luis Leon, was deported from the United States to Guatemala. According to a recent report by The Morning Call based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Leon—a legal U.S. permanent resident since 1987—was allegedly sent to Guatemala after being detained by immigration officials during a routine green card replacement visit in Philadelphia.
The news outlet cited family accounts, indicating that Leon, who had previously been granted asylum in the United States, was unexpectedly handcuffed and removed from the immigration office. His granddaughter reportedly told the newspaper that he was now recovering from pneumonia in Guatemala and had no intentions of returning to the U.S.
Guatemala Responds to Deportation Allegations
In response to the publication, Guatemala’s Migration Institute released a statement clarifying that no individual matching Leon’s name, nationality, or age had been deported from the United States to Guatemala. The agency emphasized that it collaborates directly with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to monitor deportations and maintains comprehensive records of individuals arriving in the country.
Moreover, Guatemala underscored that its agreement with the United States, signed in February, only applies to receiving deportees from neighboring Central American countries. The deal does not extend to individuals from other nations such as Chile. As such, Guatemala reaffirmed that it is not a designated third-party country for Chilean deportees.
U.S. Immigration Authorities Yet to Clarify
While The Morning Call reported that ICE was reviewing the circumstances surrounding Leon’s case, the agency has not issued any public statements or responded to inquiries from the Associated Press. The lack of official confirmation from ICE leaves many questions unanswered regarding how Leon came to be in Guatemala.
It also remains unclear whether an administrative error, miscommunication, or another factor led to Leon’s removal, if at all, and whether proper procedures were followed considering his long-standing legal residency in the U.S.
Looking Ahead: Calls for Transparency and Accountability
This developing situation places renewed focus on U.S. deportation policies, particularly regarding legal permanent residents and asylum recipients. The Trump administration had previously initiated controversial measures, including deporting individuals to countries other than their own, which raised further concerns about due process.
With mounting public interest and legal implications, there is increasing pressure on ICE and other relevant authorities to clarify the facts surrounding Leon’s case. Advocacy groups are also urging greater transparency and stricter adherence to immigration protocols to prevent wrongful deportations, especially involving vulnerable populations like elderly asylum recipients.
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Resources:
- https://apnews.com/article/trump-deportation-guatemala-chile-allentown-1599f3cfe4e2b99e50ecd9c77b6c3832
- https://www.mcall.com/2025/07/20/ice-leon-guatemala/
- https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2025-07-21/guatemala-denies-that-chilean-green-card-holder-was-deported-from-the-united-states
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