COLOMBIA IMMIGRATION DEBACLE: TRUMP SENDS MILITARY PLANES AFTER CONFLICT
President Donald Trump continues his crackdown on illegal immigration. South American ally Colombia and the United States have seen tensions rise over the way the Trump administration has chosen to deport migrants via U.S. military planes. Colombia immigration continues to be a complex subject, involving multiple nations and differing opinions on how it should be handled. Differences that create tension among partners, which have a direct effect on the military and trade.
How Many Colombian Immigrants Are in the US?
Colombia immigration isn’t as high as some of the other Latino communities, however, at least 1.4 million Colombians are living in the United States. Of this population, the US Department of Homeland Security believes at least 240,000 living here illegally.
Trump and Colombia Clash Over Immigration
Cracking down on Colombian immigration to the United States has already begun, with the two nations disagreeing over how to send illegal migrants back to South America.
Colombia initially refused to accept military flights bringing deported migrants back to their nation; however, following the threat of elevated tariffs among other sanctions from President Trump, the Gateway to South America had a change of heart.
Colombia Concedes Over Tariffs
Trump's immigration policies are creating a rare rift between long-time anti-narcotics partners.
Tensions arose after Colombian President Gustavo Petro rejected U.S. deportation flights, which led Trump to impose visa restrictions and announce the potential of tariffs rising to 25% with the potential to rise even higher to 50%.
Petro retaliated with a 25% tariff hike on U.S. imports, escalating the dispute, however, on January 26, 2025, Colombia agreed to U.S. terms, including accepting deportees on military flights.
“We have overcome the impasse with the United States government. We will continue to receive Colombians who return as deportees, guaranteeing them decent conditions as citizens subject to rights,” said Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo.
While the White House paused tariff plans, it maintained visa restrictions and customs inspections until the first deportee flight was completed to combat Colombian immigration to the United States.
Trump declared these measures as a warning to other nations, vowing not to tolerate violations of deportation agreements.
Dignity and Cooperation
Colombia's presidential aircraft was offered to return immigrants after rejecting U.S. military deportation flights, as President Petro demanded dignity for migrants during the deportation process.
Tensions highlight strained U.S.-Colombia relations under Petro, Colombia’s first leftist president, who seeks less reliance on the United States.
Furthermore, despite current Colombian immigration conditions, the nation accepted over 120 flights in 2024 but halted them due to treatment concerns.
Colombian Immigration Complicates Relations With Central and South American Allies
Despite representing one of the smaller Latino communities, immigration from Colombia to the United States has seen an uptick in recent years with the group appearing in larger numbers at the U.S.-Mexico border.
They are now only behind Mexicans, Guatemalans, and Venezuelans in illegal immigration arrests from September 2023 to September 2024.
This is aided in part by conditions allowing Colombian immigrants to easily fly to Mexico and avoid trekking through the treacherous Darién Gap.
Colombia plays an important role in American energy, as the country’s fourth-largest overseas supplier of crude oil and the largest supplier of fresh-cut flowers in the United States.
While Colombian immigration is elevating tension between the two nations, the U.S. also recently sent two C-17 cargo planes belonging to the Air Force with migrants to Guatemala, along with two flights to Honduras.
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