US Closes Doors, Spain Welcomes: Latin American Migrants Shift Amid Policy Changes

US deportation surges drive Latin Americans—especially Venezuelans—toward reverse migration, while Spain's open immigration reforms attract hopeful migrants

- TDG NETWORK

The US's strict deportation policies have led many Latin American migrants, especially Venezuelans, to return home or seek Spain instead. Spain's relaxed immigration laws, shared culture, and labor needs attract migrants, boosting its economy and population, contrasting with tightening global immigration trends.

The Rise of Reverse Migration Since the start of Donald Trump's second term in 2025, the U.S. has launched its most aggressive deportation agenda in decades. Dubbed a sweeping "mass-deportation initiative," this crackdown has deployed significant resources—from mobilizing the National Guard to revoking migrant protections, empowering ICE with enhanced powers, and channeling billions into building new detention facilities.

Over 139,000 undocumented migrants have been expelled so far, some sent to harsh foreign prisons—such as El Salvador's CECOT—often without due process.

Notably, this crackdown includes the invocation of archaic laws like the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expedite deportations of Venezuelans accused (often without credible evidence) of belonging to criminal groups like Tren de Aragua. Deportees have been sent to facilities like Guantanamo Bay and CECOT, detained often without trial and sometimes for indefinite lengths. These actions have sparked global criticism and sparked an emerging phenomenon: reverse migration, wherein individuals voluntarily return to their home countries after being forced out—or fearing deportation—in the U.S.