콜롬비아, ‘트럼프식’ 이민 단속…베네수 출신 수십만명 영향

Colombia is implementing a 'national first' policy to conduct widespread scrutiny and deportation of undocumented immigrants. This move is expected to impact hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan residents living in Colombia without legal status. According to Reuters and Colombia's El Espectador, Colombian President Abelardo del Real Espriella has instructed his government to enforce this policy.

During a security committee meeting in Bogota, Espriella emphasized that "Colombian nationals should come first, second, and third," and called for joint operations to find and deport illegal immigrants, starting with those involved in criminal activities and then those lacking legal residency. Colombian law does not distinguish between 'illegal' immigrants, treating their unlawful residence as a crime.

Without proper documentation, such residents are categorized as irregular migrants. Colombian immigration authorities and police are set to start their crackdown within the next few weeks. This aggressive stance resembles that of the U.S. Trump administration, which prioritized cracking down on undocumented immigrants. The majority of those affected by this crackdown are likely Venezuelan nationals, as 90% of Colombians residing in the country are from Venezuela.

Colombia shares a 2250km border with Venezuela, receiving the most Venezuelan immigrants seeking to escape economic and political turmoil. The Guardian noted that the term 'illegal' immigrants used by Espriella is inappropriate, as there is no such category in Colombian law. Many of these residents are awaiting a legal framework to legitimize their stay.

This policy contradicts decades of inclusive immigration policies maintained by Colombian governments. While Colombia has long allowed Venezuelans to cross borders easily, this new approach aims to curb illegal migration. However, concerns arise that such enforcement could negatively impact the Colombian economy and the millions of Venezuelan migrants who contribute significantly to the nation's GDP, estimated at $3 billion annually.