Pope Francis has expressed concern over the deportation of undocumented migrants from the United States under President Donald Trump’s administration. The Pope criticized these deportations, especially as nearly 200 migrants were returned to Venezuela, despite warnings from the UN against forced returns to the country. Pope Francis has long advocated for the humane treatment of migrants, urging countries to welcome, protect, and integrate individuals fleeing crises, as long as it doesn’t strain national resources.
The Pope emphasized that deporting individuals fleeing legitimate dangers would undermine their dignity and leave them vulnerable. He cautioned that policies based on force and not on the inherent dignity of every person are destined to fail.
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At the same time, Venezuela has repatriated nearly 200 undocumented migrants from the U.S. using two flights, hoping to improve relations with Washington, which does not recognize Nicolás Maduro’s presidency. However, the UNHCR warned that no one under international protection should be forcibly returned to Venezuela due to ongoing political instability.
In his first month in office, Trump removed protections from about 600,000 Venezuelans who had been shielded from deportation under his predecessor, Joe Biden, due to unsafe conditions in Venezuela. The UNHCR noted that the situation in Venezuela remains unstable, with political tensions exacerbated after the country’s disputed elections.
While Maduro agreed to accept deported migrants and facilitate their return, the U.S. and many other countries do not recognize his election victory, supporting opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia. Some of the returned migrants were seen celebrating their arrival, while others had their handcuffs removed before disembarking. Venezuela stressed that the return of its citizens would be done with full respect for their human rights.
