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First Group of Undocumented Migrants Return Home Via Paraguay Under US Agreement
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Culture & Society

First Group of Undocumented Migrants Return Home Via Paraguay Under US Agreement

From ABC Color · (11m ago) Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A first group of Latin American migrants, not admitted by the United States, has returned to their home countries via Paraguay, acting as a third safe country.
  • This initiative is part of a migration understanding memorandum signed by Paraguay and the U.S. in February.
  • The 16 migrants, from Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and El Salvador, voluntarily chose to leave Paraguay after arriving from the U.S., with their return flights funded by the International Organization for Migration.

Paraguay has taken a significant step in regional migration management by facilitating the return of a first group of Latin American migrants who were not admitted into the United States. These individuals are returning to their nations of origin, utilizing Paraguay as a "third safe country" under a bilateral understanding.

Estaba pautado que salieran 5, pero un vuelo se canceló, hoy está saliendo el siguiente

— Jorge KronawetterProviding details on the departure schedule of the migrants.

This operation is a direct result of a migration memorandum of understanding signed between Paraguay and the U.S. in February. The agreement allows for the repatriation of migrants to Paraguay, who then can either return to their home countries or potentially seek to remain in Paraguay if they meet the nation's immigration requirements. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is providing crucial support by funding the return flights and offering immediate humanitarian assistance, including accommodation, food, and emergency medical care.

los 16 migrantes son de nacionalidad boliviana, dominicana, ecuatoriana y salvadoreña.

— Jorge KronawetterListing the nationalities of the migrants involved.

The initial group consisted of 16 migrants of various nationalities, including Bolivian, Dominican, Ecuadorian, and Salvadoran. While four have already departed, the remaining individuals are expected to follow. Paraguayan migration authorities have clarified that these migrants "voluntarily expressed" their desire to leave Paraguay, underscoring that they were not coerced and had the option to stay under existing immigration laws.

expresaron voluntariamente su deseo de abandonar Paraguay, si bien podían optar por permanecer ahí si cumplían con las normas migratorias vigentes.

— Jorge KronawetterClarifying that the migrants' departure was voluntary.

This initiative aligns with a broader "Third Safe Country" agreement signed between the U.S. and Paraguay in August, which enables Washington to send asylum seekers to the South American nation. The Paraguayan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that this memorandum of understanding strengthens cooperation in analyzing and processing protection requests, aiming to facilitate the migratory process in the region by enabling repatriation to either home countries or suitable third countries. From Paraguay's perspective, this role demonstrates its commitment to regional stability and cooperative migration management, even as it navigates the complexities of international agreements.

acompañará el proceso y costeará la "asistencia humanitaria inmediata en áreas como alojamiento, alimentación y atención médica de emergencia" de todos los migrantes.

— Carlos VeraDescribing the IOM's role in supporting the migrants.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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