Colombia’s president says he will deny entry of US deportation flights
Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he will deny entry to the United States's deportation flights as President Trump's immigration plan begins.
“The US cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals,” Petro posted Sunday to the social platform X. “I deny the entry of American planes carrying Colombian migrants into our territory.”
Just days into the second Trump administration, the White House announced that flights on military aircraft with migrants on board have begun.
As part of the administration’s larger immigration plan, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has arrested migrants in various communities across the country. Now, they will be put on planes and sent back to their home countries.
The use of military planes for deportations is part of an executive order signed last week by Trump.
Petro slammed the Trump administration’s plans in his post, arguing the conditions were rushed and not properly planned.
“The United States must establish a protocol for the dignified treatment of migrants before we receive them,” Petro said.
In later posts, Petro highlighted that there are thousands of Americans living without legal status in Colombia. He urged those people to contact the country's immigration services to receive help.
"Migrants are human beings and subjects of rights and should be treated as such," he wrote.