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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Manuel Rueda and Astrid Suarez

Colombian president orders immigration raids, vows deportations of migrants without legal status

Colombia Migration - (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has promised to deport thousands of migrants who are in the country without residence permits, mainly Venezuelans, as he attempts to make significant changes to the nation’s immigration policies that he says will reduce crime.

De la Espriella, who was sworn into office three weeks ago, said that he would order the country’s national immigration service to conduct raids with Colombian police as early as this week. He announced the new policy in a video released on Sunday night in his X account where he spoke of multiple measures to reduce crime and confront criminal groups.

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