Colombia Responds to US Immigration Policies: Deportation Payment Offers Explained
In response to escalating tensions with the United States over deportation policies, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has urged undocumented Colombian nationals in the U.S. to return home.
He emphasized the importance of building social wealth within Colombia and offered support to returnees through productive loans facilitated by the Department of Social Prosperity.
This development follows a recent dispute where President Petro initially refused to allow U.S. military aircraft carrying deported Colombians to land in Colombia. In retaliation, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose significant tariffs on Colombian imports and implement other punitive measures. The confrontation led to a negotiated agreement in which Colombia consented to accept deported migrants without restrictions.
To ensure the dignified treatment of returnees, Colombia has been dispatching its own air force planes to facilitate their repatriation.
President Petro’s call for citizens to return is part of a broader strategy to strengthen Colombia’s economy by reintegrating its nationals and fostering domestic development. The government aims to support returnees in establishing businesses and contributing to the nation’s growth.