Peru sets up program to expel foreigners 'who misbehave'

BOGOTA, Colombia

Peruvian President Pedro Castillo on Thursday announced the implementation of a program to expel foreigners from the country "who have misbehaved.”

Castillo had announced on Aug. 10 that the government would present a bill to Congress to increase the causes for expelling foreigners who engage in unlawful conduct in the country in order "to combat citizen insecurity."

The new conditions would include causes such as not being vaccinated for COVID-19 and failing to possess an ID.

The measure also seeks to expel those migrants found to be in possession of unauthorized firearms, explosives or drugs and those driving without the appropriate permit or vehicles without proof of ownership.

The “Return to your country” program, Castillo said Thursday, seeks "the return of citizens who have come from other countries and who have misbehaved in our country."

The Peruvian Ombudsman's Office condemned the measure, saying that it criminalizes the migrant population. On its Twitter account, the agency urged Congress not to pass it.

"The bill criminalizes irregular migration and affects the dignity of refugees and migrants. The proposed reasons for expulsion do not have a vision of the situation of foreigners in the country and of barriers to access the process of immigration regularization," it said.

Although the president did not mention a specific population, the measures would mostly affect the 1.3 million Venezuelans who have fled their country in search of better opportunities in Peru.

“I appreciate the willingness of the Venezuelan Embassy and other embassies with which we have been coordinating," the president said on his Twitter account.