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Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 12 Feb 2021
Venezuelan mother Annie Gonzales and her daughter Leannie Romero (9) at the Integrated Assistance Centre in Maicao, Colombia. Photo:UNHCR/Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo
Bogota: Colombia will grant temporary legal status to a million undocumented Venezuelan migrants, which will allow them to work in the country, legally, along with access to the country's healthcare and other necessary services.
It was announced by Colombian President Ivan Duque and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi during a joint briefing on Monday.
"We launched the #EstatutoDeProtección [temporary protective status] for Venezuelan migrants, with the aim of providing care to those fleeing the dictatorship. This mechanism allows us to have information to grant them immigration status and, in 10 years, the possibility of a resident visa," Duque's tweet in Spanish read.
Lanzamos el #EstatutoDeProtección temporal para migrantes venezolanos, con el objetivo de brindar atención a quienes huyen de la dictadura. Este mecanisno nos permite contar con información para otorgarles status migratorio y, en 10 años, la posibilidad de una visa de residente. pic.twitter.com/ei1L0W9ESz
— Iván Duque ?? (@IvanDuque) February 9, 2021
According to the UNHCR, Colombia is hosting 1.7 million Venezuelans.
It represents more than "37 per cent of the estimated 4.6 million Venezuelan refugees and migrants in Latin America and the Caribbean."
"More than half of the Venezuelan population in Colombia lack regular status, affecting their ability to access essential services, protection and assistance," the UNHCR press release stated.
A NPR report said: "Migrants who arrived in Colombia before Jan. 31 are eligible, as are those who enter legally during the first two years that the policy is in effect. Duque also said that anyone who does not register under the new status will eventually be subject to deportation."
Lauding the gesture, Grandi said, "This bold humanitarian gesture serves as an example for the region and the rest of the world. It is a life-changing gesture for the 1.7 million displaced Venezuelans who will now benefit from added protection, security and stability while they are away from home.”
“We applaud Colombia for its extraordinary generosity and its commitment to ensure protection for displaced Venezuelans. This decision serves as a model of pragmatism and humanity.”
He also tweeted praising the Columbian President.
"My gratitude to President @IvanDuque, and to the Colombian people and government, for this historic, generous act," part of the tweet read.
Today Colombia gave an extraordinary example to the region and the world by granting temporary protection status for 10 years to all Venezuelans on its territory.
— Filippo Grandi (@FilippoGrandi) February 8, 2021
My gratitude to President @IvanDuque, and to the Colombian people and government, for this historic, generous act. pic.twitter.com/g59JOImMNr
Meanwhile, IOM (International Organization for Migration) Director General António Vitorino said, “The regularization of Venezuelan refugees and migrants in Colombia through the provision of a generous temporary protection status is a key to facilitating their socio-economic integration and access to the national health system and COVID-19 vaccination campaigns.”
"The Government of Colombia has once again shown both great solidarity and leadership. Its decision serves as an example to the world,” he added.