PALM BEACH, United States: US President Donald Trump said Saturday that Venezuela has agreed to accept illegal migrants deported from the United States, including gang members as his administration has launched a mass immigrant deportation campaign.
“Venezuela has agreed to receive, back into their Country, all Venezuela illegal aliens who were encamped in the US, including gang members of Tren de Aragua,” Trump said on his platform Truth Social, as he hailed the return Friday of six Americans detained in Venezuela.
“Venezuela has further agreed to supply the transportation back,” Trump added. “We are in the process of removing record numbers of illegal aliens from all Countries, and all Countries have agreed to accept these illegal aliens back.”
The detainees were released Friday and returned to the United States following a meeting between Trump’s special envoy Richard Grenell and President Nicolas Maduro, who called for a “new beginning” in ties with Washington.
The six men, who were not identified, were photographed smiling on a plane alongside Grenell.
Grenell had travelled to Caracas to demand that Maduro’s government accept the unconditional return of Venezuelans deported from the United States or face consequences.
ALSO READ: Venezuela Frees Six Americans After Trump Envoy Richard Grenell Meets with Maduro
Trump has pledged to carry out the largest deportation campaign in US history, vowing to expel millions of undocumented immigrants, many from Latin American nations.
Deportation of illegal immigrants
Since President Trump took office and signed an executive order on immigration, joint teams of the Immigration Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other U.S. government agencies have arrested more than 10,000 illegal immigrants across the United States, The News reported.
Over 7,300 immigrants in the US were sent back home in handcuffs and shackles after the Department of Homeland Security began its mass deportation drive on the order of President Trump.
The use of restraints during these deportations has drawn widespread condemnation, with critics arguing that it dehumanises individuals who are often fleeing violence or seeking better opportunities.
Moreover, US Vice President JD Vance has confirmed that military aircraft and other means have been used to deport large numbers of people from Latin American countries such as Venezuela and Colombia.
In a TV interview, the vice president confirmed that in addition to such large-scale and historic deportations, President Trump has also set a target of arresting and deporting 1,800 illegal immigrants per day, which will continue until the end of President Trump’s operation against illegal immigrants.
