South American migration

Migration news & insights from South America

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> Chile started deportation flights

> Ecuador's economy benefits from migrants

> Chile welcomes first group of refugees from Gaza

> Colombia and Ecuador argue about return of prisoners

The new Chilean government of President Kast carried out its first deportation flight on 16 April 2026. The operation transferred 40 people to Colombia and other South American countries as part of a ‘migration control plan’ targeting undocumented individuals.

CHILE

Chile’s new far-right government has started deportation flights and ordered the building of an anti-migrant wall

Six weeks into his presidency, Chile's far-right leader has initiated deportation flights, started constructing border walls, and reversed plans to grant legal status to nearly 200,000 people.

April 2026: When José Antonio Kast won Chile's presidential election last November, migrants in the country had good reason to be alarmed. His pledge to expel all 337,000 undocumented residents within weeks of taking office, build walls along the northern border, and criminalise irregular migration had sparked a wave of anxiety among immigrant communities. The Immigrant Times’ December article described the gap between his harsh rhetoric and the economic realities that make migrants essential to Chile's labour market.

Now Kast is in office, and he has wasted little time. On his first day as president on 11 March, Kast signed six decrees, three of which targeted immigration. Chile's military began digging a three-metre-deep trench along the Bolivian border and constructing adjacent walls up to five metres high to deter migrants. Kast signed the orders on his inauguration day and travelled to the frontier to oversee construction personally. Addressing reporters in the Port City of Arica, he declared that Chile would confront illegal immigration "with the full force of the state."

The new administration also acted swiftly on the issue of legal status. The outgoing government of Gabriel Boric had prepared a decree to grant legal residence to 182,000 people who had applied for regular status. Kast's Migration Service director announced that the new government would not carry out that decree. The government argued that at least 6,000 of those enrolled in the process had criminal records, although it provided no breakdown of the remainder.

A poll carried out in Kast's first week in office showed him with a 57 per cent approval rating, the highest for any Chilean president since 2010, with 80 per cent of respondents supporting the border plan. That public support has given him confidence to proceed swiftly with the enforcement agenda his campaign pledged.

On 16 April, Chile conducted its first government-organised deportation flight, expelling 40 foreign nationals from the northern city of Iquique. The Boeing 737 of the Air Force made stopovers in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Guayaquil, and Bogotá, delivering 17 Bolivians, four Ecuadorians, and 19 Colombians to local migration authorities. Of the 40, 15 had criminal records; the remaining 25 were cases related to administrative issues, including individuals who had entered Chile through unauthorised crossings, which constitutes grounds for deportation under Chilean law.

Officials described the flight as the first in a series of charter operations and stated that 151 deportations had been completed in Kast's first month in office, including land-based removals. According to official figures, more than 44,000 people are ready to be repatriated to their countries, with approximately 75,000 deportation orders pending.

However, the scale of the challenge quickly hits practical limits. The situation with Venezuelan migrants, who make up 65 per cent of deportation orders, presents a specific obstacle, as diplomatic relations between Santiago and Caracas remain frozen following Venezuela's disputed 2024 elections, making direct deportations impossible. Kast's government is examining whether a third country could act as an intermediary, but no solution has been confirmed.

In the north of the country, the large-scale departure of undocumented migrants that Kast's election was expected to trigger has not occurred. Instead, migrants and asylum seekers have been taking alternative routes into Chile, often via Bolivia, with some crossing the highlands on foot at night to avoid detection, where temperatures can drop to -15 degrees Celsius.

Critics contend that Kast's strategy is pushing vulnerable individuals further underground instead of decreasing their numbers. Economists and labour analysts have long warned that mass deportations would lead to severe shortages in agriculture, construction, and care work, the sectors most reliant on migrant labour.

Further reading from The Immigrant Times: Migrants in Chile fear Kast presidency || South American migration ||

Sources: Newsweek; MercoPress; ColombiaOne; Buenos Aires Times; Al Jazeera; The Rio Times

ECUADOR

Venezuelan migrants contribute $900 million annually to Ecuador’s economy

October 2025: Ecuadorian Households with Venezuelan members contribute an estimated US$900 million annually to the country’s economy through the consumption of goods and services, according to a new study by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The findings highlight the significant role of migrants in supporting economic growth and development across Latin America and the Caribbean.

“The evidence is clear: when migrants have access to rights and opportunities, they contribute substantially to the societies that host them,” said Kristina Mejo, IOM Ecuador Chief of Mission. “Ensuring regular status and fair access to the labour market is a catalyst for growth and an investment that generates benefits for all: migrant families, host communities, and the economy as a whole.

Ecuador currently hosts approximately 441,000 of the 6.9 million Venezuelans living in Latin America and the Caribbean. This indicates considerable opportunities to further harness migration’s potential for economic growth in both the country and the region.

The study also estimates that Venezuelan households pay nearly $47 million in taxes annually. These contributions were facilitated by public policies implemented by the Government of Ecuador, which improved documentation processes for Venezuelans and expanded access to formal employment, social security, financial services, and the recognition of academic degrees.

Venezuelans in Ecuador constitute a young and productive population: more than 70 per cent are of working age (18–39 years old) and have educational levels comparable to Ecuadorians. However, the study reveals that about 66 per cent of Venezuelans are employed informally despite holding professional degrees, and only 30 per cent work in their field of expertise. This restricts their full potential and limits integration into the productive sector. The barriers are even greater for women: nearly 69 per cent are in informal jobs and earn less than the minimum monthly wage.

Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Further reading: Immigrantion in South America ||

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CHILE / GAZA

Chile welcomes the first group of refugees from Gaza; Paraguay and Uruguay contemplate similar steps

September 2025: In an act of humanitarian diplomacy, Chile has welcomed a group of Palestinian refugees from Gaza, stressing the country’s support for international humanitarian initiatives. The arrival of 68 individuals, 36 of whom are children and adolescents, signals both a moral stance and a logistical feat, as Chile becomes one of the first countries in the region to offer a haven to civilians fleeing the war-torn enclave.

A Chilean government spokesperson said the refugees had close family ties to Chile. “This action is part of our country's firm commitment to international humanitarian law and was made possible thanks to a coordinated effort by the government with the collaboration of various international organisations.”

The operation, led by Chile’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and supported by intelligence agencies, involved expedited visa waivers, safe conduct passes, and background checks via Interpol. In total, 113 refugees are expected to be resettled, including 76 Palestinians from Gaza, 34 Syrians, and 3 Afghan women.

President Gabriel Boric described the initiative as a response to the “ongoing genocide in Gaza. “We are not neutral in the face of suffering,” the President said, referencing Chile’s deep-rooted Palestinian diaspora and the country’s historical ties to Middle Eastern migration.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian community in Chile, the largest outside the Arab world, welcomed the arrivals as a “deeply humane gesture.” However, they stressed that while they appreciate the humanitarian aid, it does not diminish the Palestinian people's inalienable right to live on their own land. The Community also reaffirmed its rejection of “forced displacement as a policy of occupation.”

Meanwhile, Paraguay has signalled its openness to accepting refugees from Gaza, joining Uruguay in exploring coordinated resettlement efforts. While no arrivals have been confirmed, the regional momentum suggests a growing willingness among Latin American nations to respond to displacement crises beyond their borders.

This shift comes amid mounting international pressure and renewed calls from the United Nations for equitable refugee burden-sharing. For Chile, Paraguay, and potentially other South American countries, the move reflects a broader recalibration of foreign policy, one that blends moral clarity with strategic outreach.

As Latin America steps into a more visible humanitarian role, questions remain about long-term integration, public attitudes, and the sustainability of such efforts. But for the families arriving from Gaza, the gesture is more than symbolic—it is survival.

Sources: Merco Press; Clarin; Sabes