U.S. Deportations to Venezuela Resume

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has initiated the return of Venezuelans who entered the United States without legal authorization back to Venezuela. The first group of 127 nationals departed on Wednesday.

Earlier this month, DHS declared its intent to restart deportations, emphasizing the importance of upholding immigration laws and imposing consequences for those who cross the border unlawfully.

This move comes following discussions in Mexico City involving the United States, Mexico, Colombia, and Panama, during which Venezuelan officials agreed to accept the return of their nationals.

First Deportation Flight

On October 18, 2023, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operated the first flight repatriating Venezuelans to their home country.

ICE reports that the initial flight carried 127 Venezuelans, with more deportation flights planned in the future.

International Discussions

During the discussions in Mexico City, U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas, and Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall, addressed ongoing efforts among Western Hemisphere countries in managing migration issues.

Screening and Legal Process

ICE emphasized that, in accordance with U.S. laws and international obligations, all noncitizens, irrespective of nationality, are properly screened for valid protection claims and the withholding of removal. This procedure aims to ensure the orderly and humane processing, transfer, and removal of single adults and family units.

Before being deported, noncitizens undergo removal proceedings, during which they can present claims for relief or protection from removal in front of immigration court judges.

Routine Removals

ICE explained that the first chartered flight to Venezuela is part of its routine removals in the Western Hemisphere and around the world. Between May 2023 and October 11, 2023, the DHS reportedly removed over 300,000 immigrants from the United States.

Air operations for deportations are chartered with commercial airlines, with the agency conducting 72,177 removals to over 150 countries worldwide in the previous year.