Colombia Tightens Immigration Enforcement with New Leadership

Colombia has initiated a significant shift in its immigration policy, appointing a new leader for Migración Colombia and launching a coordinated enforcement push. This move signals a more stringent approach to managing the country’s migrant population, with a particular focus on individuals accused of crimes and those without regular status. The government’s stated aim is to prioritize Colombian citizens while addressing concerns about public safety and irregular migration.

New Leadership at Migración Colombia

On August 27, 2026, retired lieutenant colonel José Luis Castañeda Tiria was sworn in as the new director general of Migración Colombia. His background as a former police commander, with extensive experience in security operations, aligns with the government’s objective to integrate immigration enforcement more closely with police activities. Foreign Minister Omar Andrés Bula Escobar officiated the ceremony, emphasizing the agency’s role in national migration control. This appointment comes as President Abelardo de la Espriella’s administration seeks to implement a more assertive stance on immigration.

Coordinated Operations Against Irregular Status and Crime

President de la Espriella announced a policy of joint operations between Migración Colombia and the Policía Nacional, with an initial focus on Barranquilla. The government’s strategy prioritizes addressing crimes committed by foreign nationals and then targeting individuals who have not regularized their immigration status. The president articulated a clear nationalistic sentiment, stating, “I will not accept illegal migration. First Colombians, second Colombians and third Colombians.” This directive underscores the administration’s commitment to placing its citizens’ interests at the forefront of its policies.

The enforcement plan is designed to target individuals who are committing crimes, as well as those involved in trafficking networks operated by armed groups. Interior Minister Rodrigo Lara clarified that the operations would specifically target foreigners engaged in criminal activities. The government frames this campaign as a necessary response to crime and irregular migration, distinguishing it from actions against those who have already completed their regularization processes. Colombian law itself distinguishes between migrants in an “irregular” situation and the term “illegal immigrant,” a distinction the administration appears to uphold in its stated objectives.

A History of Removals Underpins New Policy

The current enforcement push follows a period where thousands of migrants have already been removed from Colombia. Between August 2022 and June 2026, the immigration authority recorded a total of 5,965 removals. This figure includes 3,389 deportations and 2,576 expulsions. These numbers highlight a pre-existing trend of enforcement actions that the new administration appears poised to intensify.

The policy is also being implemented against the backdrop of a large Venezuelan population in Colombia, many of whom are without regular status. For over a decade, Colombia has been a primary host country for Venezuelan migrants. The new approach, which places greater emphasis on coordinated enforcement, may disproportionately affect this population due to their significant presence among those without documented status.

Barranquilla Selected for Initial Operations

The implementation of the new policy has been swift. Following President de la Espriella’s announcement of the crackdown on August 24, 2026, the government indicated that raids and deportation operations would commence within the same week. The identification of Castañeda as the incoming director on August 26 and his formal installation the following day directly linked the leadership change to the administration’s enforcement timetable. As of September 9, 2026, the policy is actively being rolled out, relying on closer collaboration between the migration authority and the police to identify individuals in irregular status and investigate potential criminal conduct.

Foreign residents in Colombia facing immigration actions are advised to seek legal counsel from a qualified lawyer. While the government has outlined its focus, individual circumstances and status require careful assessment. This information is intended for general knowledge and does not constitute legal advice.

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