Venezuelans detained at the US-Mexico border decreases after Biden expulsions

The amount of migrants Venezuelans who cross the border between USA Y Mexico has slumped as a new bilateral policy has pushed thousands back to Mexico, according to US and Mexican officials and a local shelter.

US Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Chris Magnus told Bloomberg News on Thursday that US border agents had encountered just 155 Venezuelans on Wednesday, down from the daily average of 1,200 earlier this month.

LOOK HERE: Venezuelan migrants expose themselves to 4,000 kilometers of danger on their way to the US.

The administration of US President Joe Biden announced last week that it would begin expelling Venezuelan migrants back to Mexico under an order issued during the coronavirus pandemic, known as Title 42, denying them the opportunity to seek asylum.

At the same time, the Democratic Biden administration launched a new program to allow up to 24,000 Venezuelans, with US sponsors and who meet other requirements, to apply for humanitarian entry by air.

More than 4,500 Venezuelans have been returned to Mexico since the new policy began on October 12, said the Mexican government, which has taken over its shelters.

The new effort comes as Republicans have criticized Biden’s handling of the border and seek to gain control of Congress in the Nov. 8 midterm elections.

At a shelter in the US border city of Deming, New Mexico, Venezuelans went from being the most common nationality to being absent, according to Ariana Saludares, executive director of Colores Unidos, which runs the center.

On Thursday, a US government bus, transporting migrants from El Paso to the shelter to ease overcrowding, was carrying about 50 Colombians, Ecuadorians, Peruvians, Dominicans and Nicaraguans, he said.

MORE INFORMATION: Exile organization asks the US not to expel Venezuelans who are already in the country

The Republican governors of Texas and Arizona have bused thousands of immigrants to cities run by Democrats this year, part of a high-profile campaign to draw attention to what they say is Biden’s failure to secure the border.

A spokesman for Texas Governor Greg Abbott said the buses could continue until Biden “do your work”.

Source: Elcomercio

Ronald Payne

I, Ronald Payne, am a journalist and author who dedicated his life to telling the stories that need to be said. I have over 7 years of experience as a reporter and editor, covering everything from politics to business to crime.