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Trump Hosts Outgoing Guatemalan President

Patsy Widakuswara

   WHITE HOUSE - U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Guatemala's outgoing
   president Jimmy Morales at the White House Tuesday, where the two
   discussed immigration and trade.

   Trump called the relationship with Guatemala "tremendous" and praised
   Morales on the immigration deal where Guatemala agrees to accept
   migrants seeking asylum in the U.S.

   "The relationship is very good, it's a very important country from the
   standpoint of the border and trade," Trump added.

   In July the Trump administration reached an agreement with the Morales
   government that will allow U.S. immigration officials to send migrants
   requesting asylum at the U.S.-Mexican border to Guatemala.

   The U.S. has signed similar agreements with El Salvador and Honduras,
   requiring migrants on their way to the U.S. to apply for protections in
   those countries first. U.S. immigration authorities may send migrants
   back to those countries if they fail to do so, effectively making it
   almost impossible for migrants from the Northern Triangle countries to
   seek asylum.

   The Trump administration has sent the first migrants back to Guatemala
   in November. According to the Guatemalan government, a total of 24
   people have been sent to the country under the program.

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