Duque explains deportation of Venezuelans to Colombia 0:58
(CNN Spanish) --
11,948%.
It is the drastic increase in Venezuelan migrants on the southern border of the United States, according to data from the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
In December 2020, 206 encounters between border patrol agents and Venezuelans were recorded;
in one year they increased to 24,819.
The covid-19 pandemic has aggravated the humanitarian crisis and political instability that have gripped Venezuela in recent years, according to the UN.
In total, around 6 million people have fled the South American country, generally to other parts of Latin America.
However, in recent months a record number of Venezuelans have attempted to cross the US-Mexico border.
The encounter data reported by CBP includes cases of inadmissibility under Title 8, as well as arrests and removals made under the controversial public health order, known as Title 42, which allows authorities in the US to quickly remove — between 10 to 15 minutes—to migrants who are at its southern border, preventing asylum seekers from presenting their petition.
The rapid expulsion of migrants has also been linked to an increase in the number of people who have repeatedly crossed the border.
US Begins Quietly Moving Venezuelan Migrants to Colombia Under Controversial Border Policy
The public health measure was implemented at the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic.
However, policies such as Title 42 continue to limit access to asylum, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
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"The summary and mass expulsions of people that are being carried out under the authority of Title 42, without examining protection needs, are incompatible with international standards and may constitute refoulement," UNHCR said in September 2021.
After the transfer of Venezuelan migrants to Colombia at the beginning of 2022, the Venezuelan embassy in the United States expressed through a press release that "greater restrictions and visas for Venezuelans will only deepen the crisis and increase illegal businesses such as trafficking and of people".
The embassy also called for allowing Venezuelan migrants to submit their asylum application.
"Summarily dismissing this humanitarian cry for help only leaves Venezuelans more defenseless and vulnerable. Returning them to Venezuela carries even worse consequences," he adds.
CNN's Priscilla Alvarez contributed to this report.
Crisis in VenezuelaImmigration