Sat Jan 25 16:10:00 IST 2025: ## First Trump-Era Deportation Flight to Brazil Lands in Manaus, Delayed Due to Maintenance

**Manaus, Brazil –** The first flight deporting individuals from the United States to Brazil since Donald Trump’s inauguration landed in Manaus at approximately 6 PM on Friday, January 24th. The aircraft, carrying 158 passengers, was scheduled to continue to Belo Horizonte, but mechanical issues forced a cancellation of the onward flight.

While authorities have not released the nationalities of all passengers, Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty) confirmed that 88 of the deportees are Brazilian citizens. Reports suggest passengers complained of excessive heat within the aircraft, prompting the deployment of an inflatable ramp for disembarking. However, maintenance on the ramp has further delayed the departure. Passengers are currently being held in a secure area of the airport under the supervision of Federal Police.

This deportation flight marks the start of a major crackdown on illegal immigration under the Trump administration. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced earlier on Friday that 538 illegal immigrants had been apprehended since Trump’s inauguration, including a suspected terrorist and members of the Tren de Aragua gang. Leavitt declared that hundreds have already been deported on military aircraft, describing this as the largest mass deportation operation in history.

The timing of the deportations has raised some questions. While it is the first such flight since Trump’s return to office, some individuals may have been detained during the previous Biden administration.

Trump’s renewed presidency has been characterized by a hardline stance on immigration. On his first day back in office, he revoked numerous immigration-related executive orders issued by his predecessor and implemented measures restricting immigration and border security, including declaring a state of emergency at the US-Mexico border and suspending asylum applications for at least four months.

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