US embassy cable - 05GUATEMALA2273

C O N F I D E N T I A L GUATEMALA 002273 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/27/2015 
TAGS: PREL, SMIG, CVIS, SNAR, KCRM, EAID, PREF, PHUM, GT 
SUBJECT: GUATEMALA ON CHANGES TO DEPORTATION PROCEDURES 
 
REF: STATE 176485 
 
Classified By: Ambassador James M. Derham for reasons 1.4 (b,d). 
 
1. (C) Guatemalan FM Briz reacted favorably to reftel 
demarche delivered September 27 by the Ambassador, saying the 
GOG would seek to cooperate with USG efforts to reduce to 
three days the turnaround time to repatriate illegal 
Guatemalan immigrants apprehended at the border. 
 
2. (C) The Ambassador delivered reftel demarche to Guatemalan 
FM Briz who had just returned from Nicaragua September 27. 
Briz appeared unaware of both WHA DAS Fisk's September 19 
meeting in Washington with Ambassador Castillo and the 
September 23 exchange Pol Counselor had with Ambassador 
Galvez at the MFA on this issue. 
 
3. (C) Briz was surprised to hear that almost 100 Guatemalans 
per day are apprehended at the border.  The Ambassador 
explained that, to make a strong case for immigration reform 
(including a Temporary Worker Program), the Administration 
needed to show progress in securing our borders.  The 
Ambassador said we were therefore seeking GOG cooperation in 
order to accelerate the processing of apprehended Guatemalan 
illegal migrants for return to Guatemala -- in particular, to 
eliminate delays in obtaining Guatemalan travel documents. 
 
5. (C) Once the Ambassador clarified for Briz that we were 
talking about turning back Guatemalans apprehended at the 
border, not deporting Guatemalans already living in the U.S., 
Briz was amenable to cooperate.  He added that if more 
resources were required for Guatemalan consulates, he would 
seek to obtain them.  Briz and the Ambassador agreed that the 
Department and DHS should follow up with Guatemalan 
Ambassador Castillo in Washington.  Briz said he would 
contact Ambassador Castillo immediately. 
 
6. (C) Comment:  Briz's reaction is welcome but his ignorance 
of earlier contacts on the issue is disconcerting.  We 
recommend that Washington agencies initiate discussions with 
the Guatemalan Embassy asap to determine what additional 
actions the GOG is willing to undertake. 
DERHAM