The United States has deported nearly 600 Colombians so far in March

Given the escalation of the migration crisis on the border between Mexico and the United States, the US authorities have been forced to return foreigners who are trying to enter the country irregularly. The determination is supported under the Title 42 public health order, which came into force during the period of former President Donald Trump.

As confirmed by Migration Colombia in recent hours, during the month of March the U.S. has deported nearly 600 Colombians, all of them of age, through six flights. In addition, the entity explained in the statement that the US authorities are responsible for paying for each of the trips.

Juan Francisco Espinosa, director of Migration Colombia, made it clear that the nation will respect the measures adopted by the US Government. “In the exercise of their autonomy and sovereignty, seeking to maintain regulated migration and safeguard the integrity of migrants, the United States authorities have decided to implement a measure of return to their country” in the midst of the current pandemic.

There are two types of policies that the United States has adopted for foreigners who violate its legislation. The first corresponds to Title 8, which has been in operation for more than 10 years, and which corresponds to the deportation measure. This applies to migrants who “have committed crimes and served their sentence”; who have been extradited and must return to Colombia; or for those who are “in an irregular condition” in the United States.

And the second corresponds to the aforementioned Title 42, which was imposed at the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic and under which the authorities can expeditiously expel immigrants entering through Canada and Mexico. The above recalling that unaccompanied migrant minors are exempt from the provision.

The Customs and Border Protection Office (CBP) says that some people who “potentially pose a health risk” will be banned from entering the US. Likewise, the government agency reported that in February immigration authorities intercepted 164,973 people who crossed the land border between the United States and Mexico.

While the controversial measure came under Donald Trump's administration, earlier in March this year the ruling of the United States Court of Appeals for the Circuit of the District of Columbia allowed authorities to continue to use Title 42 as a public health measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Therefore, the Biden administration has been obliged to comply with these regulations.

“From Migration Colombia we call on our compatriots not to expose their lives on this type of voyage and we will continue to work with all the immigration authorities in the region, in order to maintain an orderly and safe migration, which allows people to be protected,” concluded the director of the entity.

It should be noted that, on March 3, Colombian President Iván Duque met with his counterpart, Joe Biden, at the White House to discuss issues related to migration, covid-19, climate change and global security, among others.

In addition, one of the most notable announcements by the US president was the designation of Colombia as a strategic ally country, but not a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). As Biden explained, this is “a recognition of the unique and close relationship between our countries”.

“This is a very important statement that means taking the bilateral relationship to its highest point and that includes opportunities in trade, investment, but above all in security,” President Duque said at the time.

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