Caracas confirmed that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) charter carrying 379 Venezuelan migrants landed on 3 December, resuming removal flights that had been suspended after President Trump warned commercial airlines to treat Venezuelan airspace as ‘closed.’ The landing represents an unusual moment of cooperation between the two governments amid escalating U.S. military activity in the Caribbean and new terrorism designations aimed at President Nicolás Maduro’s inner circle.
Since February, nearly 14,000 Venezuelans have been deported on 75 flights under a deal negotiated early in Trump’s second term. The program paused last week when Caracas protested Trump’s threat but quietly restarted after State-Department back-channel talks. DHS declined comment, but administration officials have said Venezuelans who lost Temporary Protected Status in October are now priorities for removal.
![Deportation flights to Venezuela resume despite White House ‘airspace closure’ threat]()
For U.S. employers, the restart raises stakes for Venezuelan workers who over-stayed TPS: ICE field offices have begun issuing Notices to Appear within 30 days. Companies should audit I-9s and assist affected employees in exploring other status options.
Analysts note that continued deportations could give Washington leverage in broader negotiations over Venezuelan elections and U.S. sanctions on the oil sector. Airlines remain wary: Delta and American reiterated they will not over-fly Venezuela until FAA guidance changes.
Practical tip: HR teams should remind Venezuelan nationals that departure orders can be enforced quickly once charter capacity exists. Legal counsel should track evolving country conditions that might support asylum or withholding-of-removal claims.
Since February, nearly 14,000 Venezuelans have been deported on 75 flights under a deal negotiated early in Trump’s second term. The program paused last week when Caracas protested Trump’s threat but quietly restarted after State-Department back-channel talks. DHS declined comment, but administration officials have said Venezuelans who lost Temporary Protected Status in October are now priorities for removal.
For U.S. employers, the restart raises stakes for Venezuelan workers who over-stayed TPS: ICE field offices have begun issuing Notices to Appear within 30 days. Companies should audit I-9s and assist affected employees in exploring other status options.
Analysts note that continued deportations could give Washington leverage in broader negotiations over Venezuelan elections and U.S. sanctions on the oil sector. Airlines remain wary: Delta and American reiterated they will not over-fly Venezuela until FAA guidance changes.
Practical tip: HR teams should remind Venezuelan nationals that departure orders can be enforced quickly once charter capacity exists. Legal counsel should track evolving country conditions that might support asylum or withholding-of-removal claims.
