US To Expel Thousands Of Venezuelan Migrants Illegally Crossing Border

The Biden administration has announced that it will be working with Mexico to expel Venezuelans who illegally cross the Southwest border.

In a press release released Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a new humanitarian parole program that will allow Venezuelans entry into the country legally. The scheme, however, will also allow the U.S. to deport thousands of Venezuelans who illegally enter the country back to Mexico.

"Effective immediately, Venezuelans who enter the United States between ports of entry, without authorization, will be returned to Mexico," the DHS said.

"Our comprehensive effort to reduce the irregular migration of Venezuelans also includes a new process to lawfully and safely bring up to 24,000 qualifying Venezuelans into the United States."

The U.S. has seen an influx of Venezuelan migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border over the past months. In August, there was an increase of 175% in migrants at the border, most were from Venezuela, Cuba or Nicaragua, CNN reported.

The DHS added that it will expect Mexico to keep its "independent but parallel effort" to accept deported Venezuelan nationals. The department vowed to "closely monitor" the implementation of the process.

The joint program is inspired by the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program, aimed at reducing border flows by establishing a systematic entrance route for Ukrainians fleeing Russia's invasion of their country.

For Venezuelans to qualify for the program, an applicant should have a U.S.-based sponsor who would financially support them for up to two years. They must pass a rigorous vetting process and complete the required vaccinations.

However, some immigrant rights advocates are not happy with the government's decision to send migrants back to Mexico.

Raha Wala, deputy director for legislative advocacy at National Immigration Law Center, believes the new scheme will drive Venezuelans to Mexico's dangerous northern border region.

"It's great to be expanding access to humanitarian parole, but it can't come at the cost of additional harm to asylum seekers," Wala told the New York Times.

The announcement of the program also comes less than a month before the U.S. midterm elections, which pose a danger to current President Joe Biden and the Democrat's hold on Congress.