Venezuelan migration saw 80% drop since shift in policy, now migrants look for jobs

EL PASO, Texas --U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials say there's been an 80% drop in encounters with Venezuelan migrants in the week since launching joint actions with Mexico to reduce irregular migration.

The shift came after an abrupt turn from the Biden Administration to deny Venezuelans who attempt to enter the U.S. illegally a chance to apply for asylum.

Since then, Venezuelan migrants have been camping alongside the Juarez border waiting for an opportunity.

The Juarez community now has concerns over the rise of migrants since the shift of policy.

Migrants camping now have the chance to ask for a six-month permit that will allow them to work in Mexico. The issue is not all of them are interested in getting it.

ABC-7 spoke with a Venezuelan migrant who has been trying to get the work permit for more than four days now. He says the Mexican Immigration Institute has been just issuing 50 permits per day.

Migrants are facing long lines and wait times to get it. They also know getting a job is a way to survive, but they say in Mexico are not fair wages.

Chihuahua state officials said Tuesday afternoon that they promise to speed up the work permit process. They want migrants to get their permits and start working.

As for Tuesday, around 44 migrants now have been approved to work in Mexico.

According to CBP Statistics for Fiscal Year 2022, a steep rise in encounters with Venezuelan migrants began in August for the El Paso Sector. Encounters jumped from 611 in July to 3,539 in August. In Sept., encounters climbed as high as 20,169.

The drop in encounters won't be reflected in current CBP numbers. Those are expected to be released next month.