Reverse Migration: Venezuelan Migrants Flee US After Immigration Crackdown

More than 14,000 Venezuelan migrants, who had hoped to reach the United States, have turned south since the US immigration crackdown began, according to a report published by the governments of Colombia, Panama, and Costa Rica. This phenomenon, known as "reverse flow" migration, is largely composed of Venezuelan migrants who fled their country's economic, social, and political crises only to encounter US immigration policy no longer open to asylum-seekers. The report, published with the support of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, states that northward migration had dropped 97% this year.

Key Takeaways:

• The report by Colombia, Panama, and Costa Rica's governments found that 14,000-plus mainly Venezuelan migrants reversed course and turned south since the US immigration crackdown began.
• 97% of migrants interviewed in Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia were Venezuelans, with nearly half planning to return to Venezuela.
• The majority of migrants (around 97%) said they were returning because they could no longer legally reach the US.
• Since 2017, around 8 million people have fled the crisis in Venezuela.
• A quarter of those interviewed planned to go to neighboring Colombia.
• Venezuelan migrants are now even more vulnerable as they make their way back to South America, with fewer funds to finance their journey and few prospects for work.
• Migrants are at risk of exploitation and trafficking as they travel back through regions with a heavy presence of criminal groups.

Statistics:

• Over 14,000 Venezuelan migrants have reversed their journey and turned south since the US immigration crackdown began.
• 97% of migrants interviewed in Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia were Venezuelans.
• 47% of migrants said they planned to return to Venezuela.
• Since 2017, around 8 million people have fled the crisis in Venezuela.