Volaris Airline offers $1 return home flights to Central American migrants in Mexico

Mexican airline Volaris has launched a program called “Reuniting Families” that is offering to fly Central American immigrants in Mexico back to their countries of origin.

For $1, plus applicable taxes, Volaris will fly immigrants in Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, Guadalajara and Mexico City to Costa Rica, El Salvador or Guatemala. Would be passengers need to be willing to board the next available flight and accept any available seat.  Airport use fees are around $45.  Adult migrants must identify themselves with their unique identity document and minors must show a passport or birth certificate. The program expires on June 30.

A wave of Central American migrants has arrived in Mexico in recent months after the government of leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who took office on December 1, declared that he would have a more flexible immigration policy.

The United States has registered record numbers of mostly Central American migrants crossing into the US illegally, which has sent tensions soaring between the two countries.

Following a threat by US President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on Mexican imports, both governments reached an agreement and Mexico has reinforced surveillance along its southern border, as well stepped up the number of arrests and deportations of migrants.