Venezuelan migrants, lawmakers react to policy change for Venezuelans

EL PASO, Texas -- On Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security announced multiple actions that they say would help reduce the number of people arriving at the Southern border.

DHS officials also said they are trying create a more orderly process for people fleeing Venezuela because of the humanitarian and economic crisis.

The department announced Venezuelans who enter the U.S. between ports of entry, without authorization, will be returned to Mexico.

Venezuelan migrants and local politicians swiftly reacted to the announcement.

Rep. Tony Gonzales told ABC-7 this is only addressing part of the problem.

"The program with the Venezuelans is a drop in the bucket. You know returning them back to Mexico does not solve the problem. They have to be returned back to their country of origin," the congressman said.

Rep. Gonzales said the migrant crisis is out of control in our region. He said he wants those in the Biden administration to see the situation up close.

Congressman Gonzales said the DHS announcement only addresses part of the problem.

“Two things need to be done. One repatriation flights. People that do not qualify for asylum need to be sent back to their county of origin. You start that and that immediately stops illegally. Then legally we have work shortages in every industry. There need to have a robust work visa program that welcomes those who want to come and work and live the American dream," he said.

ABC-7 talked to some Venezuelan migrants about the policy change. One group of migrants said they felt lucky to be the last group of migrants who were able to cross into the United States.

One Venezuelan migrant said they are still hopeful President Biden will change his mind on this new policy.

John Lennon Medina, a Venezuelan asylum seeker, said he has family members who are still on their journey to America. He said "They borrowed money, sold properties, and gave everything to come into the United States."

He says even despite the policy change they will still attempt to enter into the United States.

"They are not going to give up. They made their way over here and they are believing in God and President Biden."

Also announced is a new process to bring up to 24,000 qualifying Venezuelans into the country.

According to Customs and Border Patrol agents, since October 1,000 Venezuelan citizens have been entering our region a day.

CBP officials told ABC-7 the migrants were turning themselves in near the downtown area.

Most of them were single adults, but officials also said there were family units from Venezuela.