The family of 82-year-old Luis Leon, a Chilean national and longtime U.S. green card holder, says he vanished for weeks after being detained by ICE. Now, he’s hospitalized in Guatemala City, even though Guatemalan officials deny receiving him through official deportation channels. This case exposes serious problems in how U.S. immigration authorities handle deportations, especially under new policies that allow sending people to countries where they have no ties.
A Family’s Search for Answers
Luis Leon’s story began decades ago when he fled Chile’s dictatorship in 1987 and received political asylum in the United States 🇺🇸. He built a life in Allentown, Pennsylvania, becoming a lawful permanent resident with a clean record, according to his family. But in July 2025, his family reported him missing after ICE detained him. For weeks, they had no idea where he was.
Eventually, they learned that Leon had been transferred from a detention center in Minnesota to Guatemala 🇬🇹. He was found in a hospital in Guatemala City, recovering from pneumonia. His granddaughter rushed to Guatemala to care for him. The family’s relief was mixed with confusion and anger, especially after Guatemalan authorities said they had no record of his deportation.
Guatemala’s Denial and ICE’s Silence
The Guatemalan Migration Institute, which works closely with ICE on deportations, publicly denied that Luis Leon had been sent to Guatemala through official channels. They stated that their agreement with the United States 🇺🇸 covers deportees from Central American countries, not Chile. “No one matching his name, age, or citizenship was processed through official deportation channels,” Guatemalan officials said.
Despite repeated requests, ICE has not explained why Leon was sent to Guatemala or how the transfer happened. As of July 21, 2025, ICE only said it was investigating the case. This silence has left the Leon family and advocates demanding answers.
A New Era of Deportation Policy
Since President Trump returned to office in January 2025, the United States 🇺🇸 has stepped up deportations. The administration uses “safe third country” and “asylum cooperative” agreements to send migrants to countries other than their own. In February 2025, the U.S. and Guatemala signed a deal for Guatemala to accept deportees from other Central American countries, but not from Chile.
A Supreme Court ruling in June 2025 gave the Trump administration more power to carry out expedited deportations to countries that are not the deportee’s home country. This legal change has caused confusion and made it more likely that people like Luis Leon could be sent to places where they have no family, friends, or legal status.
Deportation Numbers and Reception Centers
The United States 🇺🇸 deported 66,000 Guatemalans in 2024, and Guatemala agreed to a 40% increase in deportation flights in 2025. About 25% of all U.S. deportation flights this year have gone to Guatemala. However, there is no official record of Chilean nationals being included in these flights.
To handle the growing number of deportees, Guatemala is building a new migrant reception center at Tecún Umán, funded by USAID, which is set to open in mid-2026. This center will process deportees from the United States 🇺🇸 and Mexico 🇲🇽. The project is part of a larger U.S. strategy to manage migration outside its own borders.
Breakdown in Coordination and Communication
Luis Leon’s case shows a serious breakdown in coordination between U.S. and Guatemalan authorities. If Guatemala did not officially receive Leon, it suggests he may have been transferred outside normal channels or through a process that was not properly documented. This lack of transparency makes it hard for families to find their loved ones and for governments to ensure that deportations follow the law.
Legal and Human Rights Concerns
Sending people to countries where they have no legal status or support network raises serious legal and humanitarian concerns. Experts warn that such actions may violate international refugee and human rights agreements, especially for people who have been granted asylum or have protected status.
Human rights groups say the Trump administration’s expanded use of third-country deportations increases the risk of “chain refoulement.” This is when someone is sent to a country where they could be forced to return to a place where they face danger. These groups also warn that people may not get a fair chance to explain their situation before being deported.
The Human Cost: Family Impact and Unanswered Questions
For the Leon family, the ordeal has been traumatic. They were misinformed about his possible death and received calls from strangers offering legal help under suspicious circumstances. Leon’s granddaughter traveled to Guatemala to care for him, but the family is still searching for answers and accountability from U.S. authorities.
The family’s experience is not unique. Many families with loved ones in ICE custody struggle to get information about their whereabouts or legal status. The lack of clear communication can lead to confusion, fear, and even health risks for vulnerable people like Luis Leon.
Expert and Stakeholder Perspectives
Human rights advocates and legal experts have strongly criticized the Trump administration’s use of third-country deportations. They argue that these policies put people at risk and deny them basic legal protections. “The practice of deporting individuals to countries where they have no legal status or support network raises serious legal and humanitarian concerns,” said one expert.
Guatemalan officials, including President Bernardo Arevalo, have said they are willing to cooperate with U.S. deportation policy for Central American nationals but do not accept non-Central Americans, such as Chileans. This position highlights the limits of international agreements and the need for clear rules.
U.S. policy analysts say the current approach is meant to deter migration by making deportation outcomes more unpredictable and harsh, even for people who have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for many years and have legal status.
What Families Can Do in Similar Situations
If a loved one is detained by ICE and their whereabouts are unknown, families should take the following steps:
- Contact ICE and Local Consulates: Use the ICE Detainee Locator to try to find the person. Reach out to the consulate of the person’s home country and local legal aid groups for help.
- Request Official Records: Ask for official documents about the deportation or transfer, including flight manifests and custody records.
- Engage Legal Counsel: Find an experienced immigration lawyer who can file emergency motions or habeas petitions if there are signs of due process violations.
- Contact Human Rights Organizations: Report the case to groups like the American Immigration Council, Human Rights Watch, or the ACLU for advocacy and possible legal action.
These steps can help families get information and support, though the process can still be slow and frustrating.
Policy Uncertainty and Future Changes
The Trump administration’s aggressive deportation agenda is expected to continue, with more third-country agreements and faster removal procedures. Ongoing lawsuits and possible congressional investigations may affect how these policies are carried out, especially when it comes to the rights of asylum seekers and legal permanent residents.
Countries like Guatemala 🇬🇹 may face more pressure to clarify their roles and protect against unlawful or undocumented transfers, especially as new reception centers open in 2026. The international community will be watching closely to see how these changes affect migrants and their families.
The Need for Transparency and Due Process
Luis Leon’s case shows why transparency and due process are so important in deportation proceedings. When governments fail to communicate or follow the rules, people can end up in dangerous situations far from home, without support or legal protection.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the lack of clear procedures and accountability in cases like Leon’s puts vulnerable people at risk and undermines trust in the immigration system. Families, advocates, and officials all agree that better coordination and communication are needed to prevent similar cases in the future.
Background: How Deportation Policies Have Changed
The United States 🇺🇸 has a long history of deporting people who are in the country without legal status. However, recent changes under President Trump have made the process faster and more unpredictable. The use of “safe third country” and “asylum cooperative” agreements allows the U.S. to send migrants to countries that are not their home, even if they have no ties there.
The Supreme Court’s June 2025 decision made it easier for the government to carry out these deportations. While the goal is to deter migration, critics say the policy puts people at risk and makes it harder for them to get fair treatment.
Guatemala 🇬🇹 has become a key partner in these efforts, agreeing to accept more deportees and build new facilities to process them. However, the country has made it clear that it will not accept people from outside Central America, which should have protected Luis Leon from being sent there.
Legal Resources and Official Contacts
Families facing similar situations can use several official resources for help:
- ICE Detainee Locator: To find detained individuals.
- Guatemalan Migration Institute: For official statements and deportation records.
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): For updates on legal status and procedures.
- American Immigration Council: For legal resources and advocacy.
It’s important to act quickly and keep detailed records of all communications with authorities.
Looking Ahead: What Needs to Change
Luis Leon’s case is a warning sign. As the United States 🇺🇸 continues to expand its deportation policies, more people could be sent to countries where they have no support or legal rights. This increases the risk of harm and makes it harder for families to stay together.
Advocates are calling for:
- Clearer rules and better communication between countries involved in deportations
- Stronger legal protections for people with asylum or protected status
- More transparency from ICE and other agencies about how and why deportations happen
- Independent oversight to make sure deportations follow the law and respect human rights
Conclusion: A Call for Accountability
The story of Luis Leon shows the real-life impact of changing immigration policies. When governments fail to coordinate or communicate, families suffer. As the U.S. and its partners continue to change how they handle deportations, it’s vital to protect the rights and safety of everyone involved.
For families, staying informed and seeking help from official resources and advocacy groups is key. For policymakers, the lesson is clear: transparency, due process, and international cooperation are not just legal requirements—they are matters of life and death for people like Luis Leon.
For more information on current deportation procedures and legal rights, visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) official website.
Learn Today
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, responsible for detaining and deporting unauthorized immigrants.
Green card → Official document granting lawful permanent resident status in the United States.
Safe third country → Policy allowing deportation to countries other than the migrant’s origin, deemed safe.
Refoulement → The forced return of refugees or asylum seekers to a country where they face danger.
Habeas corpus → Legal procedure to challenge unlawful detention or request a person’s release.
This Article in a Nutshell
Luis Leon, a longtime U.S. green card holder, vanished after ICE detention and was found sick in Guatemala. His case reveals serious coordination failures and risks posed by deportations to countries where migrants lack legal ties or protections, raising legal and human rights concerns.
— By VisaVerge.com
