Mexico, U.S. Agree on Ukraine-style Relief for Venezuelan Migrants
The governments of Mexico and the United States have agreed to help out and accept up to 24,000 Venezuelan migrants as they flee the country under the regime of Nicolas Maduro. The move takes inspiration from how Ukrainian refugees were admitted following the Russian invasion.
The United States will accept up to 24,000 Venezuelan migrants at U.S. airports, while Mexico will take back Venezuelans who come to the U.S. illegally over land. This decision comes as more and more Venezuelans flee their country.
The policy will be effective immediately, with Venezuelans who illegally enter Mexico or Panama after Wednesday being deemed ineligible to come to the U.S. under the offer. According to the Associated Press, Venezuelans who try to cross the border and seek asylum will be immediately returned to Mexico under Title 42, the pandemic rule that suspends asylum rights in the U.S. to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
U.S. and Mexico Taking Inspiration from Ukraine on Venezuelan Migrant Issue
The two countries are adopting a plan based on the "Uniting for Ukraine" program, which was implemented when Russia invaded the Eastern European country last February. Under that plan, Ukrainians could enter the United States by securing a sponsor and applying from outside the country, according to Reuters.
The decision comes as Venezuelan migrants cross over Guatemala and Honduras and into Mexico to flee the country. They all plan to enter the United States and have a better life there. With the increase in the influx of Venezuelan migrants, they have now become the second largest nationality arriving at the U.S. border, with Mexicans still being the largest.
With this plan, the Department of Homeland Security stated that it will depend on Mexico "keeping in place its independent but parallel effort" in taking back the Venezuelans who cross the border illegally.
"These actions make clear that there is a lawful and orderly way for Venezuelans to enter the United States, and lawful entry is the only way," said Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. He also warned that Venezuelans who illegally cross the southern border of the United States will not be accepted and will be returned to Mexico. He also stated that they will be ineligible for this process in the future.
How Can Venezuelans Qualify for the Program?
According to Spectrum News-1, the plan aims to address the unusual number of Venezuelans crossing over to the United States by land. They usually undertake perilous journeys to reach the U.S.-Mexico border. It hopes this could limit the number of Venezuelans at the southern border.
In order to qualify for the program, a Venezuelan citizen must find a person or organization based in the United States to support their request. They then must enter the United States by air. If they illegally had crossed over Mexico or Panama by October 12, they will be deemed ineligible for the program.
The Mexican government also stated that the United States will provide an additional 65,000 temporary visas to migrants for non-agricultural jobs. Around 20,000 of these jobs will be allocated to Central Americans and Haitians.
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Rick Martin
WATCH: White House considers new program for Venezuelan migrants - WPLG Local 10