Colombia orders raids, vows deportations of undocumented migrants

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has announced a major shift in immigration policy, ordering raids and vowing to deport migrants living in the country without legal status. The move, announced in a video posted on his X account on Sunday, is part of a broader plan to reduce crime and confront criminal groups.

De la Espriella, who took office three weeks ago, said law enforcement would first target migrants committing crimes, then those residing without regular status. "I will not accept any illegal immigrants, wherever they come from," he said. "They will have to leave and be deported. It is a political decision I am taking responsibility for."

The policy marks a departure from Colombia's long-standing approach of protecting and integrating Venezuelan migrants. An estimated 2.8 million Venezuelans live in Colombia, the largest diaspora of that nation, according to the United Nations. Many fled economic turmoil and a 75% contraction in Venezuela's GDP over the past decade.

Colombia's previous government granted temporary residence permits to about 2.3 million Venezuelans under a 2021 scheme. However, new permits have not been issued for three years, leaving many migrants in a legal limbo.

Advocates have expressed concern. Ana Karina García of Juntos Se Puede, which aids Venezuelan migrants, argued the government should expand legal residency pathways rather than punish those who cannot obtain permits. "It has been proven that foreigners do not commit crimes at greater rates than the local population," she said.

Arles Pereda, who represents Venezuelans in Bogota, said the announcement is worrying, especially as new arrivals come following twin earthquakes in Venezuela in June. "The doors seem to be closing," he said, noting similar trends in Chile, Peru, and Ecuador.

Migracion Colombia, the national immigration agency, said it currently has no director and will implement the new policies only after a new director is appointed.