US Congress warns of sanctions for countries rejecting deported migrants

“Colombia and all nations must be ready — Congress is fully prepared to impose sanctions and other measures against those who do not fully cooperate or fail to comply with requirements to accept their citizens who are illegally in the US,” Johnson wrote.

He emphasized that US President Donald Trump is “putting America first, as he promised,” and Congress will support policies that “back his agenda.”

On Jan. 26, Reuters reported that Colombia, following Mexico, refused to accept two US military planes carrying deported migrants. In response, Trump instructed his administration to impose strict measures against the country.

According to the report, these measures include emergency tariffs of 25% on all goods imported into the US, which would rise to 50% within a week, a travel ban and visa cancellations for Colombian officials and allies, full implementation of emergency Treasury, banking, and financial sanctions, and stricter border inspections of Colombian citizens.

Colombia’s refusal to accept deportation flights marks the second such case. Earlier, Mexico also denied a US military plane carrying deported migrants permission to land.

Trump’s deportation policy in focus

US President Donald Trump announced a large-scale deportation plan as part of a “national emergency plan” before his Jan. 20 inauguration.

Bloomberg, citing Trump’s advisers, previously reported that he plans to deport 1 million migrants during the initial phases of his policy.

Immediately after his inauguration on Jan. 20, Trump’s administration halted the use of the CBP One app, which allowed migrants seeking entry into the US to schedule appointments at entry points.

On Jan. 22, thousands of military personnel were deployed to the US-Mexico border, which is crossed illegally by 1,100 to 1,300 migrants daily. That same day, Trump signed an executive order effectively closing the US-Mexico border to migrants, including asylum seekers.

On Jan. 21, it was revealed that hundreds of undocumented migrants were detained in what is reportedly the largest deportation operation in US history.