Hundreds of U.S. Visa Appointments Canceled at U.S. Embassy Bogotá, Colombia Over Trump Deportations

american-flag-3001893_1280We start the week with the unfortunate news that hundreds of visa applicants were turned away at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia, following a political dispute between President Donald Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro.

Tensions between the two heads of state came to a head on Sunday after President Trump wrote on his Truth Social account, “I was just informed that two repatriation flights from the United States, with a large number of Illegal Criminals, were not allowed to land in Colombia. This order was given by Colombia’s Socialist President Gustavo Petro…”

He added, “Petro’s denial of these flights has jeopardized the National Security and Public Safety of the United States, so I have directed my Administration to immediately take the following urgent and decisive retaliatory measures….”

Among these measures, President Trump vowed to:

  • Raise tariffs on all Colombian goods entering the United States
  • Enforce an immediate travel ban and visa revocations on all Colombian government officials, aliens, and supporters
  • Order visa sanctions on all party members, family members, and supporters of the Colombian government and
  • Enhance Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspections of all Colombian nationals and cargo on “national security” grounds

Shortly thereafter, the U.S. Department of State and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced through their spokespersons that they would enforce the President’s orders by immediately ordering the suspension of visa issuance at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia.

On Sunday, CBP announced that the Office of Field Operations had commenced enhanced inspections of flights, private aircraft, and cargo to and from Colombia. The agency also said it denied boarding to flagged U.S. visa holders and in coordination with the Department of State, began enforcing the travel ban on Colombian officials.

President Petro defended his decision tweeting on X, “The U.S. cannot treat Colombian migrants like criminals…the U.S. should establish a protocol of dignified treatment of migrants before we receive them.”

Petro also condemned the Trump administration saying Colombia would respond in kind with a 50% tariff on U.S. goods, potentially escalating the conflict into a trade war.

Since then the United States and Colombia have resolved their differences with Petro agreeing to accept repatriation flights into the country.


Too Little Too Late


Sadly, these actions came too little too late. The dispute led to the cancellation of hundreds of visa appointments at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, causing heartache and uncertainty for those making the long journey to be interviewed, including Venezuelans.

Visa applicants arriving to the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá on Monday were given letters by Consulate personnel stating that their appointments were cancelled due to their government’s refusal to accept repatriation flights.

This was devastating for Colombians who have waited years in the visa queues to receive visa appointments in Bogotá, which also processes visa applications for Venezuelan nationals.

As a result, visa applicants whose interviews were cancelled will face more delays, and wait even longer for appointment rescheduling. Backlogs will grow for others who were already waiting to be scheduled.

The White House has said visa suspensions for Colombian nationals will continue until Colombia meets its obligations to accept the return of its own citizens adding, “The visa sanctions issued by the State Department, and enhanced inspections from Customs and Border Protection, will remain in effect until the first planeload of Colombian deportees is successfully returned. Today’s events make clear to the world that America is respected again….”

No further updates have been provided on when visas for Colombian travelers will again be issued at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá. There is also uncertainty about whether enhanced CBP inspections of Colombian nationals will continue.

What is clear is that this altercation has sent a message to other countries that nothing will stand in the way of Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration.

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