Washington — Illegal border crossings by Venezuelans into the U.S. dropped significantly in October after the Biden administration started deporting some migrants directly to crisis-stricken Venezuela, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data published Tuesday.
Last month, Border Patrol agents captured 27,637 Venezuelans crossing unlawfully, a 46% decrease from a monthly high of 54,833 in September.
In early October, the Biden administration confirmed an agreement with Venezuela to deport migrants found ineligible for asylum or a temporary legal status offered to 472,000 Venezuelans who arrived before July 31.
Since October 18, the U.S. has conducted weekly deportation flights to Venezuela, resulting in a swift decrease in arrivals along the southern border, according to Acting CBP Commissioner Troy Miller.
In addition to the Venezuela-specific drop, overall illegal entries at the southern border fell to under 189,000 last month.
The reduction in Venezuelan border crossings could signal a turning point for the Biden administration, which has been managing an unprecedented influx of Venezuelan migrants since taking office.
Venezuelans have presented a unique challenge for U.S. officials, with millions leaving Venezuela in recent years to escape economic turmoil, insecurity, and an authoritative government.
The immediate impact of the deportation flights was evident as migration analyst Adam Isacson observed a cautious approach to traveling north following the news.
“The news of the deportations reached everyone considering migrating to the U.S., prompting them to take a wait-and-see approach,” Isacson said, noting a possible shift in the trend as Venezuelans realize the U.S. is only deporting a fraction of those entering the southern border and that the dire conditions in Venezuela have not improved.
