Venezuela: US Migrant Deportation Resumes as First Plane Lands with Over 100 Venezuelans On Board

Deportation flights of Venezuelan citizens from the United States resumed on Wednesday as part of the Joe Biden administration's efforts to manage the increasing number of asylum-seekers, AP reports.

This marks the first time in years that US immigration authorities are deporting individuals to Venezuela, a significant shift in the relationship between the US and the government of Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro.

The first deportation flight, a Boeing 737 jet, departed from the Texas border city of Harlingen and landed in Miami before continuing to Caracas, the capital of Venezuela.

Onboard the US migrant deportation flight were around 130 Venezuelan men and women who had been transported to the plane via buses and were wearing wrist and ankle restraints.

They underwent security checks conducted by US immigration officers.

The Joe Biden administration has indicated its intention to conduct "multiple" deportation flights to Venezuela each week, per a waiver issued by the US Transportation Department, effectively making Venezuela one of the top international destinations for US immigration authorities.

US Migrant Deportation to Venezuela

This resumption of deportations follows the recent decision by the Joe Biden administration to grant deportation relief, and work permits to nearly half a million Venezuelans who arrived in the United States on or before July 31.

This was attributed to the increased instability and safety concerns in Venezuela, according to Reuters.

The direct deportations to Venezuela, which had been stalled for several years due to diplomatic tensions between the two countries, are now being revived.

US Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens emphasized the importance of using legal channels to enter the US or scheduling appointments at legal border crossings rather than crossing the border unlawfully.

Corey Price, a senior ICE official, indicated that the agency plans to conduct multiple deportation flights to Venezuela on a weekly basis. These flights are part of the ICE Air charter carrier program, typically carrying 135 migrants.

They will transport individuals who have received final removal orders, either after losing an asylum bid or due to the inability to secure humanitarian protection.

The decision to resume deportations to Venezuela comes in response to a surge in migration from the country, which has strained immigration systems in the hemisphere, including those in the United States, according to the Transportation Department.

This move has faced criticism from immigration advocates, with concerns that it may be perilous for deportees.

Jennifer Piper, a program director with the American Friends Service Committee, called the decision "deeply cruel and deadly" and urged the Biden administration to halt deportations to hazardous destinations.

Why Are Venezuelans Leaving Their Country?

The humanitarian crisis in Venezuela has prompted a mass exodus of more than 7 million people in recent years, as reported by the United Nations, per Miami Herald.

The Venezuelan population faces dire circumstances, including severe food shortages, inadequate healthcare, and a deteriorating infrastructure.

Additionally, human rights organizations have extensively documented a range of concerning issues, such as extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and the suppression of political opposition and journalism.

The US government's assessment from the previous year highlighted that the Maduro regime in Venezuela had failed to take meaningful action in identifying, investigating, prosecuting, or penalizing officials responsible for human rights violations and corruption.

The root causes of this dire situation can be traced back to a global drop in the price of oil, Venezuela's most critical export, nearly a decade ago.

Mismanagement by the self-proclaimed socialist government exacerbated the country's downward spiral.

Venezuela is grappling with ever-increasing food prices and business closures, making it incredibly challenging for workers to meet their basic needs, given the monthly minimum wage of just $3.70, hardly enough to buy a gallon of water.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: US resumes deportation flights to Venezuela with more than 100 migrants on board - From WGN News