Administration resuming deportation flights for Venezuelan migrants as arrivals grow

MEXICO CITY >> The Biden administration will resume deporting Venezuelan migrants, the largest single group encountered at the U.s.-mexico border last month, back to their economically troubled country as their arrivals continue to grow.

U. S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, speaking in Mexico City, cited the new measure as one of the “strict consequences” the Biden administration is pairing with the expansion of legal pathways for asylum seekers.

“Our two countries are being challenged by an unprecedented level of migration throughout our hemisphere,” Mayorkas said, referring to Mexico.

The repatriation flights are expected to begin shortly, said two U.S. officials, though they did not provide specific details on when the flights would begin taking off. The officials were not authorized to disclose details of the government’s plan and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

The resumption of deportation flights comes not long after the administration increased protected status for Venezuelans who arrive to the U.S., so if someone arrived to the U.S. before July 31 of this year, but not after, they’d be eligible for protections. The decision reflects the larger strategy by President Joe Biden to not only provide expanded legal pathways for people arriving, but also to crack down on those who illegally cross into the country from Mexico.

The decision to resume deportation flights to Venezuela contrasts with the recent U.S. announcement that Venezuelans already in the country are eligible for expanded temporary protected status. To justify that expansion the Biden administration said it had determined that it was warranted “because extraordinary and temporary conditions continue to prevent Venezuelan nationals from returning in safety.”

Mayorkas addressed that contrast, saying “we have made a determination it is safe to return Venezuelan nationals who arrived in the United States subsequent to July 31 and do not have a legal basis to remain here.”