Colombia launches 'Trump-style' immigration crackdown, hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans affected

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office just days ago, has initiated a sweeping crackdown on undocumented immigrants, signaling a stark shift in the nation's approach to migration. The new administration's directive prioritizes "Colombian citizens first" and mandates the apprehension and deportation of individuals residing in the country without proper legal status.

During a security committee meeting, Espriella declared, "Colombian citizens must come first, second, and third." He ordered joint operations to identify and remove irregular migrants, starting with those involved in criminal activities and then proceeding to those without legalized residency. This move echoes the stringent immigration policies implemented by the former U.S. President Donald Trump, earning Espriella the nickname 'El Tigre' (The Tiger) for his tough stance on security and his pro-U.S. alignment.

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First, second, and third, Colombian citizens must come first. Start joint operations to find illegal immigrants. First, find those committing crimes, then those who have not legalized their residency.

The policy is poised to disproportionately affect hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans who have sought refuge in Colombia, fleeing economic hardship and political turmoil in their home country. Colombia, sharing a long border with Venezuela, has been the primary host nation for Venezuelan migrants. Official figures indicate that out of 2.8 million Venezuelans in Colombia, approximately 848,000 have an irregular status, including nearly 200,000 minors.

This directive starkly contrasts with Colombia's decade-long policy of migrant inclusion. Previous administrations, including that of former President Iván Duque, implemented programs to grant legal status to over a million Venezuelans. Concerns are mounting that the large-scale deportations could disrupt the Colombian economy, as Venezuelan migrants contribute an estimated $3 billion annually through consumption, taxes, and entrepreneurship.

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The contribution of Venezuelans to the Colombian economy is estimated at $3 billion annually through consumption, taxes, and entrepreneurship. Large-scale crackdowns will threaten this contribution.