The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced joint actions with Mexico to establish a more orderly and secure system to process people fleeing the current humanitarian and economic crisis in Venezuela.
According to a press release, rates of irregular migration from northern Central America is down by 25% compared to the previous year, but the number of Venezuelans trying to illegally cross the border has increased by roughly 400%. These efforts are meant to decrease the number of people arriving at the country's southwest border and relieve the pressure on communities receiving these migrants.
“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,” Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas said, according to the press release. “Those who attempt to cross the southern border of the United States illegally will be returned to Mexico and will be ineligible for this process in the future. Those who follow the lawful process will have the opportunity to travel safely to the United States and become eligible to work here.”
Effective immediately, Venezuelans caught entering the U.S. without authorization will be returned to Mexico. The U.S. and Mexico will coordinate operations to target human smuggling organizations. These operations will create new migration checkpoints and provide increased resources and personnel to target human smuggling organizations.
DHS has also implemented a new process to lawfully and safely bring up to 24,000 qualifying Venezuelans into the United States. Eligible Venezuelans must have someone in the U.S. that will provide financial and other support; be able to pass national security and public safety screenings; and complete vaccinations and other public health requirements to qualify to enter the U.S.
Venezuelans are ineligible if they have been ordered removed from the U.S. with in the previous five years; have crossed without authorization between ports of entry after the date of announcement; have irregularly entered Mexico or Panama after the date of announcement; are a permanent resident or dual national of any country other than Venezuela; currently hold refugee status in any country; or have not completed vaccinations and other public health requirements.
