DHS opens new avenues for Venezuelan migrants under joint plan with Mexico

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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has introduced a joint border enforcement plan with Mexico to restrict border crossings, allowing up to 24,000 Venezuelans to land directly by air at ports of entry in the U.S. interior. I’m here.

On 12 October, the two governments joint action To curb the cross-border increase of undocumented Venezuelans. Venezuelans who have walked or swam across the border since Oct. 12 will be returned to Mexico under Trump-era Policy Title 42, allowing for the expedited deportation of most unauthorized border crossers.

The plan includes new checkpoints, resources, co-targeting of smuggling organizations, and expanded information sharing related to transit nodes, hotels, caches, and staging locations.

Mexico accepts deported Venezuelans

In return, Mexico Agreed to receive deported Venezuelan citizens Anyone entering the United States without authorization between ports of entry. Until October 12, Venezuelans were not subject to Title 42 border expulsions because they would not accept either their home country or third countries such as Mexico.

US grants tens of thousands of Venezuelans legal passage by air.

“Our comprehensive effort to reduce illegal Venezuelan immigration also includes a new process to allow up to 24,000 eligible Venezuelans to legally and safely enter the United States,” DHS said. announced on October 12th. Mexico continues independent but parallel efforts to accommodate the repatriation of Venezuelan nationals who attempt to circumvent this process and enter the country irregularly. “

Timing before midterm elections draws criticism

The operation was announced less than a month before the 2022 midterm elections, which could remove Democratic control of Congress. The Biden administration said the move was meant to alleviate the ongoing crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border due to increased immigration flows not only from Venezuela, but also from Cuba and Nicaragua.

More than 150,000 Venezuelans were arrested at the border between October and August 2021, according to US government data, while about 48,000 were arrested in fiscal 2021.

The United States Immigration Reform League, an organization that supports curbing illegal immigration, has denounced the new program as part of President Joe Biden’s open-border policy.

“Again, Biden is using the sympathy of the American people to abuse his parole powers and ignore immigration laws to permanently resettled hundreds of thousands of people in America,” the group said. Stated. I have written on Twitter.

eligibility requirements

“These actions make clear that there is a legal and orderly way for Venezuelans to enter the United States, and that legal entry is the only way,” said Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorcas. said in an October 12 email. statement“People who follow legal procedures can safely travel to the United States and be eligible to work here.”

The plan, modeled on the “Unity for Ukraine” program rolled out in April, aims to help Ukrainians fleeing the conflict between Russia and Ukraine secure sponsors to provide financial and other support. allows you to enter the United States.

Venezuelans must also have supporters in the United States, pass security screenings, and meet public health requirements, including vaccinations. Those who are approved through this process can fly directly to a U.S. port of entry and later apply for a work permit.

According to the Mexican government, people trying to apply should not go to the U.S.-Mexico border. Venezuelans who entered Mexico or Panama illegally after October 12 will not be eligible for the program, U.S. officials said.

The US had already deported hundreds of Venezuelans to Mexico before the plan was announced, Mexican officials said. According to US statistics, the number of Venezuelans deported in August was 453, the latest available data.

US will provide an additional 65,000 H2-B visas

At Mexico’s request, the U.S. will provide an additional 65,000 temporary visas to non-agricultural immigrants, the Mexican government said. saidOf these visas, 20,000 are allocated to Central Americans and Haitians.

The Biden administration has pursued what it calls a “root cause strategy.” Working with other countries to reduce border encounters by addressing the violence, organized crime, corruption and poverty that keep so many people fleeing Central America.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Rita Lee

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Rita Lee is a reporter for the Epoch Times, focusing on topics related to the United States and China. She started writing her Chinese version in 2018.



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