Colombia Orders Nationwide Immigration Raids and Deportations

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has ordered nationwide immigration raids and pledged to deport thousands of migrants living in the country without legal status, marking a significant shift in the nation's long-standing policy toward Venezuelan migration. The directive, announced during a security council meeting in Barranquilla on August 24, 2026, instructs the national immigration service to coordinate with police to identify and remove foreigners who are either committing crimes or lack regularized residency. De la Espriella, who was sworn into office on August 7, stated that operations would begin as early as this week.