US to impose sanctions on countries that refuse deportation cooperation
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The US Congress is prepared to impose sanctions on countries that refuse to cooperate with the Trump administration’s deportation efforts for undocumented immigrants, warned House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson.
Shortly after taking office, the Trump administration initiated aggressive mass deportations, with raids reported across the country.
Johnson emphasized that countries like Colombia should be on alert, as Congress is ready to implement sanctions and other measures against those that do not comply with the US demands to accept their citizens who are illegally in the United States.
“President Trump is putting America first, just like he said he would. And Congress will implement policies that reinforce his agenda,” he said.
Johnson also voiced support for Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on Colombia after its President, Gustavo Petro, rejected two US military aircraft carrying detained Colombian migrants. However, the White House announced late Sunday that Colombia had agreed to an “unrestricted acceptance” of immigrants who entered the US illegally from Colombia. Trump confirmed he would not impose a 25% tariff on the country unless Colombia fails to uphold this agreement.
In response to the mass deportation policy, Democratic Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth expressed concerns that the raids could adversely affect Dreamers, veterans, and essential workers. They argued that instead of targeting these individuals, the focus should be on removing those who pose a threat to the country. They called for an opportunity for others to earn legal status by registering with the government, paying taxes, and submitting background checks.
In recent days, Chicago has witnessed several raids, and the Trump administration has authorized the use of military aircraft to enforce its immigration policies. Congressman John Garamendi called the situation “deeply alarming.”
India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, confirmed that India will cooperate with the US in facilitating the return of undocumented Indian nationals.
With PTI inputs