Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella announces immigration crackdown

Live updates

1. 20d ago

   President Abelardo de la Espriella Orders Immigration Crackdown in Colombia

   Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has launched a hardline immigration crackdown focused on identifying and deporting irregular migrants. The president has ordered immigration raids and immediate deportations, describing the shift as a "political decision" under a "Colombia First" policy. This initiative specifically targets those without legal status, placing over 500,000 undocumented Venezuelans at risk of removal. While the administration pursues these tighter controls, the Colombian opposition has rejected the deportation policy.

   Why it matters

   Colombia previously served as a primary refuge for citizens fleeing instability in neighboring Venezuela. This policy shift marks a move toward right-wing immigration enforcement. The scale of the potential deportations affects millions of Venezuelans currently residing in the country.

   What is confirmed

   • President Abelardo de la Espriella ordered operations to identify and deport irregular migrants.
   • The Colombian president has ordered immigration raids to target migrants without legal status.
   • Abelardo de la Espriella described the deportation of irregular immigrants as a "political decision".
   • The administration is implementing a "Colombia First" immigration crackdown.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Over 500,000 undocumented Venezuelans face deportation risk under the new shift.
   • The Colombian opposition rejects the deportation policy.
   • President de la Espriella vows to deport thousands of immigrants.

   What to watch next

   • Official deportation quotas or timelines issued by the Colombian government
   • Legal challenges from human rights organizations regarding the raids
   • Diplomatic responses from the Venezuelan government
   Sources used for this update (16)

   1. The Guardian — Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella announces immigration crackdown
   2. Anadolu Ajansı — Colombia’s president orders operations to identify and deport irregular migrants
   3. Bluefield Daily Telegraph — Colombia Migration
   4. Bloomberg — De la Espriella Orders ‘Colombia First’ Immigration Crackdown
   5. ua.news — President de la Espriella announces tighter controls on migrants in Colombia
   6. Euronews.com — New Colombian president orders immigration raids as part of crackdown
   7. AP News — Colombian president orders immigration raids, vows deportations of migrants without legal status
   8. slguardian.org — Colombia’s New Deportation Drive Puts Millions of Venezuelans on Edge
   9. EL PAÍS English — Abelardo de la Espriella orders immediate deportation of irregular immigrants from Colombia: ‘It’s a political decision’
   10. inkl — Over 500,000 Undocumented Venezuelans Face Deportation Risk in Colombia Under De la Espriella's Hardline Shift
   11. Latin America Reports — Abelardo de la Espriella calls for anti-migrant crackdown in Colombia
   12. teleSUR English — Colombian Opposition Rejects De la Espriella Deportation Policy
   confidence 90%