Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has used social media to communicate that the federal government will persist in conducting removal flights for migrants who enter the country illegally. He also encouraged migrants to utilise the "pathways" that have been enhanced for legal entry into the country.
Mayorkas stated, "The United States, and our partners across the region, are continuing to enforce consequences for irregular migration, including direct repatriation flights to Venezuela. @ICEgov conducted another repatriation flight to Venezuela this week, as did the Government of Mexico". He continued by saying, "Our message to migrants is clear: use the lawful migration pathways that we have significantly expanded. The U.S. continues to remove those who have no legal basis to remain back to their countries of origin, including Venezuela". Finally, Mayorkas added, "We also continue to work with our partners, including Mexico, to expand lawful pathways and coordinate enforcement measures against those who do not use them."
According to a DHS news release, removal flights carrying families and individual adults are being dispatched not only to Central America but also Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and South Korea. Migrants without a legitimate claim for staying in the country will be processed accordingly and swiftly removed in accordance with federal law.
The same news release reveals that approximately 13,000 Venezuelan nationals have been returned on these flights since May 12. With direct repatriation flights to Venezuela resuming operations under the government's directive, this number is projected to rise in forthcoming months. Migrants from any nationality initiating a legal claim for remaining in the country will be thoroughly vetted following federal guidelines and U.S. international obligations.
Over 30 repatriation flights have been conducted each week over the past two weeks according to the news release. This operation has resulted in thousands of individuals being flown back home, including 5,000 people sent back to Mexico. The Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review oversees migrants' claims for relief or protection from removal before immigration judges in the immigration courts. However, due to privacy concerns, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) does not discuss or confirm pending or upcoming transportation operations.
