President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office three weeks ago, used his official X account on Sunday night to unveil a sweeping immigration crackdown. He said the national immigration service will work with Colombian police to launch raids as early as this week, targeting illegal immigrants who are “committing crimes” and then those living in the country without legal status.
Policy shift and political context
The move marks a dramatic reversal for Colombia, which for years has offered temporary residence permits to Venezuelan migrants fleeing economic collapse and political repression. In July, the immigration agency reported that about 2.3 million Venezuelans had received temporary permits under a program launched in 2021. The president’s new directive aims to reverse that trend, promising to deport thousands of migrants who lack any legal documentation.
Numbers and background
According to United Nations estimates, roughly 2.8 million Venezuelans were residing in Colombia as of August, making it the largest Venezuelan diaspora in the world. The influx has been driven by a severe economic contraction in Venezuela—its GDP shrank by about 75 % over the past decade—prompting many to seek safety and work across the border.
De la Espriella, described as an ultra‑conservative leader with close ties to U.S. President Donald Trump, framed the raids as a public‑safety measure. “I will not accept any illegal immigrants, wherever they come from,” he said in the video. “They will have to leave and be deported. It is a political decision I am taking responsibility for.”
Reactions from migrant advocates
Ana Karina García, director of the nonprofit Juntos Se Puede, warned that the government stopped issuing new temporary permits three years ago and urged the administration to expand legal pathways rather than punish those unable to obtain residency. “We understand the president wants to protect Colombians,” García said, “but there is no need to protect them from migrants. It has been proven that foreigners do not commit crimes at greater rates than the local population.”
Arles Pereda, president of an association representing Venezuelans in Bogotá, expressed concern that recent earthquakes in Venezuela have displaced additional families who are now seeking refuge in Colombia. “The doors seem to be closing,” he said, noting similar restrictions are appearing in Chile, Peru and Ecuador.
Implementation hurdles
In a text message, Colombia’s immigration agency, Migración Colombia, indicated that it currently lacks a director and will only carry out the new policies once a permanent head is appointed. The agency did not provide a timeline for when the leadership vacancy would be filled.
Implications
The announced raids could affect millions of residents, reshape Colombia’s approach to the regional migration crisis, and signal a broader trend among conservative leaders in Latin America to tighten immigration controls. Observers will watch how the policy is enforced and whether it leads to increased deportations or legal challenges.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
