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The Border Manager of Colombia, Lucas Gómez, assured that the Temporary Statute of Protection for Venezuelan Migrants is a revolution in the country’s immigration policy, which will not only reach more than one million Venezuelans but also has a projection of two more years .
“The Statute will be for ten years, however, the decree is also aimed at those who are here in the country, on a regular or irregular basis and provides that for two years it will be able to benefit all Venezuelans who enter legally,” he reported in an interview for CCN Radio.
Gómez assured that with this new immigration law Colombia sends a message to the world of fraternity and support for the millions of Venezuelans, human beings, who suffer the great crisis caused by Maduro’s dictatorship.
“We hope that the countries of the region will follow us and apply it because it will not only bring benefits to migrants, which is the primary motivation, but to all host countries of this population,” he said.
Profits
The Border Manager explained that the benefits are very great. Venezuelans will be able to access health care, they will be able to work legally with all the benefits of the Colombian State, children, youth and adults will be able to access education, as well as access to banking and state benefits.
“The message is to remain calm, a very large measure was taken which will benefit them and will be effective in 90 days. Stage I will begin in May, where everyone must register and once it is in effect, phase II will begin, face-to-face visits to take a fingerprint and the document will be granted,” he assured.
Gómez affirmed that Colombia is convinced that the route it has chosen on migration issues is the correct one and asked the countries of the region to be part of these actions that will support migrants and refugees.
“A humanitarian drama is being lived in Venezuela caused by the dictatorship and we call on the countries to follow this example, closing the borders has never been an option for Colombia and we believe that this is the way it should be in the other countries, each one in their own coordination,” he concluded.
