Colombia announces steps to regulate migration of Venezuelans

Record ID: 904456

  • Title: Colombia announces steps to regulate migration of Venezuelans
  • Date: 28th July 2017
  • Summary: BOGOTA, COLOMBIA (JULY 28, 2017) (REUTERS) COLOMBIAN DIRECTOR GENERAL OF IMMIGRATION, CHRISTIAN KRUGER SARMIENTO, ARRIVING AT NEWS CONFERENCE CAMERAMAN SETTING UP FOR NEWS CONFERENCE CLOSE UP OF CAMERA WITH SARMIENTO SEEN IN VIEWFINDER (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) COLOMBIAN DIRECTOR GENERAL OF IMMIGRATION, CHRISTIAN KRUGER SARMIENTO SAYING: "Basically, we're going to regularize a Venezuelan population that many of whom today are irregular, more than 150,000. Plus the population that is within the permitted term - in this country we're talking about some 60,000 people - for a total of 210,000 people."
  • Embargoed: 11th August 2017 18:49
  • Keywords: Colombia Venezuela Migration Maduro
  • Location: CUCUTA AND BOGOTA, COLOMBIA
  • City: CUCUTA AND BOGOTA, COLOMBIA
  • Country: Colombia
  • Topics: Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA0026RMUUKN
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:The crisis in Venezuela has spilled over into the territory of its neighbor, Colombia, in the form of thousands of Venezuelans fleeing unrest, violence and economic crisis. The Colombian Immigration Authority announced Friday (July 28) the creation of a Special Residency Permission Card that will allow the some 150,000 Venezuelans who have overstayed their permitted residency to work, study or simply remain in Colombia for the time being.
    According to Christian Kruger Sarmiento, the Director General of Colombia's Immigration Authority the new permission will allow Venezuelans to work on the formal economy, with the full rights of citizens and even access the Colombian social security system. Venezuelans trying to work informally were often paid less than a third of typical Colombian wages.
    The order goes into effect Friday and Venezuelans in Colombia who entered the country through a border control checkpoint, had their passports stamped upon entry and who have no prior criminal record are eligible to apply.
    Colombian authorities noted that the special permission will not replace the need for a passport, will not be a valid travel document and can be suspended at any time by Colombian authorities in the case of misuse.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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