• Over 14,000 migrants have returned to South America since tightened U.S. immigration policies.
• Venezuelan nationals account for 97% of those reversing their migration.
• A dramatic 97% decrease in northward migration has been documented in 2025.

More than 14,000 migrants, predominantly Venezuelans, have returned to South America amidst stricter U.S. immigration policies, according to a report published by Colombia, Panama, and Costa Rica, supported by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. This trend, referred to as reverse migration, has seen a significant spike from January to July 2025 as migrants face increasing difficulties making the journey to the U.S. The report stated that there has been a staggering 97% decline in irregular northbound migration this year, contrasting sharply with over 260,000 crossings during the same period in 2024, as noted by LATimes, AA, and TRT Global.

According to the report, 97% of those returning were Venezuelan nationals, many of whom are now heading back to Colombia. Forty-nine percent of the returnees cited the impossibility of entering the U.S. as their primary reason for turning back, while 46% expressed fears of detention and deportation. This dramatic shift highlights the desperate circumstances engulfing many attempting to migrate, as corroborated by testimonies collected from 182 returnees, detailed in the report by LATimes, AA, and TRT Global.

The report also sheds light on the significant violence faced by migrants along their routes, including armed robbery, extortion, and sexual violence, especially affecting women and young girls. An alarming 86.8% of migrants reported witnessing or experiencing violence during their journey. The ongoing challenges are exacerbated by a suspension of international humanitarian aid, leaving many vulnerable after returning to unsafe conditions, as emphasized by the U.N. representative in Colombia, Scott Campbell, according to LATimes, AA, and TRT Global.