Colombian migrants arrive at the El Dorado International Airport after being deported from the United States, as the U.S. prepares to lift the COVID-19 era restrictions known as Title 42, that have blocked migrants at the U.S.- Mexico border from seeking asylum since 2020, in Bogota, Colombia May 11, 2023.  REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez
United States

Migrants deported from US to Colombia speak of despair

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombian migrants deported from the United States arrived in capital Bogota early on Thursday, describing their disappointment of not living the "American dream."

A plane carrying 161 migrants from the United States arrived in Bogota hours after the U.S. government lifted its Title 42 pandemic-era immigration restriction.

Colombian migrants arrive at the El Dorado International Airport after being deported from the United States, as the U.S. prepares to lift the COVID-19 era restrictions known as Title 42, that have blocked migrants at the U.S.- Mexico border from seeking asylum since 2020, in Bogota, Colombia May 11, 2023.

"Look for the American dream, that's what everyone says, well there are some lucky ones who get it, but unfortunately I didn't," Colombian migrant Hermis Narvaez said at the airport.

A Colombian migrant woman reacts at the El Dorado International Airport after being deported from the United States, as the U.S. prepares to lift the COVID-19 era restrictions known as Title 42, that have blocked migrants at the U.S.- Mexico border from seeking asylum since 2020, in Bogota, Colombia May 11, 2023.

Last week, Colombia's migration agency canceled some flights returning migrants from the United States, citing degrading treatment.

Colombian migrants are seen at the El Dorado International Airport after being deported from the United States, as the U.S. prepares to lift the COVID-19 era restrictions known as Title 42, that have blocked migrants at the U.S.- Mexico border from seeking asylum since 2020, in Bogota, Colombia May 11, 2023.

"They took us with our hands and feet cuffed," migrant Raul de la Hoz told Reuters. "It's degrading, that's what they want to make you feel."

A Colombian migrant woman reacts at the El Dorado International Airport after being deported from the United States, as the U.S. prepares to lift the COVID-19 era restrictions known as Title 42, that have blocked migrants at the U.S.- Mexico border from seeking asylum since 2020, in Bogota, Colombia May 11, 2023.

(Reporting by Camilo Cohecha; Writing by Oliver Griffin)

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