US Restricts Visas of Colombian Maritime Executives for Irregular Migration

The United States Department of State announced this Monday, May 6, that it has imposed visa restrictions on executives of several Colombian maritime companies. The companies have being accused of exploiting their operations to transport immigrants into the United States.

The Department’s statement, while not naming the specific companies or individuals affected, highlights that these maritime firms allegedly carry out these operations with the full awareness of exposing migrants to exploitation and violence.

US restricts visas for maritime executives from Colombia

In a statement, the Department emphasized its commitment to targeting those involved in such exploitative practices. It stated, “We will continue to take steps to impose visa restrictions against unscrupulous transportation company owners, executives, and senior officials as part of our broader campaign to eliminate such exploitative practices within and beyond the Western Hemisphere.”

These actions were taken under a policy of the Department of State announced in February 2024, which expanded and superseded a prior Nicaragua policy announced in November 2023 under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The Department noted that this policy to restrict visas targets executives of companies that provide transportation by land, sea, or private flights for irregular migration. It began with executives of companies that chartered flights from Nicaragua.

The US Border Patrol intercepted migrants and asylum seekers 189,372 times in March, mostly Latin Americans who illegally crossed the border with Mexico. Therefore, the issue of migration and the fight against the criminal groups that transport migrants has become a priority for the US government and its citizens.

Migration increases at Darien jungle, the Colombia – Panama border

Furthermore, these actions are a response to the significant increase in illegal crossings through the Darien jungle, situated on the Colombia-Panama border. According to figures from the Colombian Ombudsman’s Office, a total of 520,085 migrant people crossed the irregular route of the Darien jungle in 2023.

Likewise, out of that total, 406,905 were adults and 113,180 were children and adolescents. “Figures from the Ombudsman’s Office reveal that 248,284 made the same journey in 2022. This signifies a 110% increase in 2023,” explained the authority regarding illegal immigration through the Darien jungle, where the presence of criminal groups is registered.