No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsLatin AmericaUnited States agrees with Mexico to accept 24,000 Venezuelan migrants

United States agrees with Mexico to accept 24,000 Venezuelan migrants

The United States agreed Wednesday with Mexico to accept the entry of up to 24,000 Venezuelan migrants by plane, through a legal pathway similar to that applied to Ukrainians, and to expel those who enter illegally through its southern border.

The plan “to reduce irregular migration of Venezuelans” includes “a new process to legally and safely bring in up to 24,000” of them, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a statement.

But those who “attempt to enter the United States illegally will be returned,” it noted.

“There is a legal and orderly way for Venezuelans to enter the United States and legal entry is the only way,” said Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, quoted in the release.

To enter legally, the applicant – who must pass biometric security checks and be vaccinated – needs to file a petition supported by a U.S.-based person or organization.

Those who were removed from the U.S. in the last five years or as of Wednesday, or who entered Mexico or Panama irregularly after the program was announced, will not be able to apply. 

Accepted Venezuelans “will be authorized on a case-by-case basis to travel to the United States by air directly, (…) thereby relieving pressure at the border” and will be able to apply for employment, the DHS reported.

Flood of Migrants

Over the past few years, the number of people fleeing Venezuela, ruled by Nicolás Maduro, has skyrocketed throughout the Americas. There are currently estimated to be more than 5.9 million residing in Latin America, of which 2.4 million in Colombia, according to UN data.

The United States has also received a flood of Venezuelans in recent months.

Between October 2021 and August 2022, more than 150,000 Venezuelan migrants were apprehended at the southern border of the United States, of which more than 95,000 so far this year, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data. 

Meanwhile, irregular migration from northern Central America is down by a quarter from last year’s level, DHS said.

U.S. President Joe Biden is in favor of “orderly” migration under the principle of shared responsibility, because he does not want his country to bear the full burden of the migratory flow.

65,000 Visas

The new program is aimed at “improving border security” and derives from the successful United for Ukraine program that facilitated the entry of Ukrainians fleeing the war in their country, said the DHS, which does not rule out expanding it in the future.

In parallel, the Mexican Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the new approach has been coordinated between the two countries.

At Mexico’s request, the United States has agreed to “increase labor mobility in the region with 65,000 new work visas” for temporary non-agricultural workers, of which 20,000 are for people from Central America and Haiti, along with “access for 24,000 people with pathways to join the U.S. labor market,” it said.

Mexico, which has long been asking Washington for an increase in the number of work visas for migrants, described the program as a “temporary migration flow management scheme” that will be analyzed by both countries to evaluate “its results and continuity”.

Trending Now

Panama Arrests Banana Union Leader After Chiquita Strike Ends

Panamanian authorities arrested Francisco Smith, leader of the banana workers’ union SITRAIBANA, accusing him of orchestrating road blockades during a six-week strike against Chiquita...

Costa Rica’s Massive Drug Raid Targets Cocaine Network to Europe

Costa Rican authorities struck a major blow against international drug trafficking dismantling a criminal network that smuggled over five tons of cocaine to Europe....

Canada’s Latest Costa Rica Travel Advisory Update

The Canadian government rolled out a fresh travel advisory for Costa Rica, urging travelers to stay sharp due to rising crime and natural risks....

Costa Rica’s Ojochal: From Farms to Luxury Tourism Hub

Ojochal, a small town in between the Pacific Ocean and the Fila Costeña in Costa Rica’s Osa, isn’t the sleepy agricultural community it once...

UN Ocean Summit Ends with Progress but No Clear Funding

The UN Ocean Summit concluded in Nice with advances in protecting the high seas—but without any clear financial commitments. After bringing together around 60...

Costa Rica’s Social Crisis Deepens Amid Political Clashes

Costa Rica is sliding into a state of structural violence fueled by political clashes, social division, and weakening institutions, according to a new National...
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica