Bogota Colombia
Peruvian President Pedro Castillo announced Thursday the status quo of a program to expel from the country foreigners “who have behaved badly. “
Castillo announced on August 10 that the government would present a bill in Congress to build the grounds for deportation of foreigners who interact in illicit habits in the country in order to “combat citizen insecurity. “
The new situations would come with reasons such as being vaccinated against COVID-19 and having identification.
The measure also aims to deport migrants who are caught in possession of unauthorized firearms, explosives or drugs and who drive without proper licensing or cars without evidence of ownership.
The “Return to your country” program, Castillo said Thursday, aims to “return citizens who have come from other countries and have misbehaved in our country. “
Peru’s Ombudsman’s Office condemned the move, saying it criminalizes the migrant population. On its Twitter account, the firm suggested that Congress approve it.
“The bill criminalizes abnormal migration and undermines the dignity of refugees and migrants. The proposed grounds for deportation do not take into account the scenario of foreigners in the country and the obstacles to the immigration regularization process,” he said.
Although the president did not mention an express population, the measures would basically be the 1. 3 million Venezuelans who fled their country in search of greater opportunities in Peru.
“I appreciate the willingness of the Venezuelan embassy and the embassies with which we have coordinated,” the president said on his Twitter account.