Colombian President Orders Immigration Raids and Deportations

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella announced on Aug. 31 plans to deport thousands of undocumented migrants, primarily Venezuelans, and ordered joint raids by Colombian police and the National Immigration Service. The operations are expected to target undocumented migrants involved in criminal activities, but authorities have not yet fully implemented the directives.

The government said the deportations are intended to reduce crime. Their implementation is pending the appointment of a new director of Migración Colombia, the agency responsible for immigration matters. Authorities are awaiting that appointment before proceeding fully with the new measures.

Approximately 2.8 million Venezuelans reside in Colombia, according to the research information. About 2.3 million hold temporary residence permits issued under a 2021 initiative. The figures include migrants who received legal status through that program, while the announced deportation plans focus on people described by the government as undocumented.

The current administration has stopped issuing new temporary residence permits. That decision has prompted concerns from advocacy groups and migrant community leaders, although the available information does not identify the groups or detail their specific objections.

The timing and scope of the planned raids remain dependent on the leadership change at Migración Colombia. Until a new director is appointed, the government’s directives have been announced but are not yet fully in operation.