The United States deported 1,297 Ecuadorians in 2025, according to the foreign minister
Quito, Feb 13 (Prensa Latina) Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld reported today that 1,297 citizens of this South American nation were deported this year from the United States and stated that this procedure was established since 2005.
During an appearance before the International Relations Commission of the National Assembly (Parliament), Sommerfeld specified that in 2025, 12 flights with returned migrants have arrived in the country, three of them military flights after the most severe measures of the Donald Trump administration.
The minister added that since 2022 the frequency of the flights is two per week with an average of 120 people per transfer.
Sommerfeld pointed out that, if the trend in the arrival of flights continues, in 2025 a number of migrants will be returned to Ecuadorian soil similar to that of 2024, when 13,589 people arrived.
This figure contrasts with the fact that between 2005 and 2018, 15,450 citizens were deported from the northern country, that is, in more than a decade almost the same number returned as last year.
Regarding the attention they receive upon arrival, the official explained that as a first measure, they are given, through the World Food Program, 50 dollars that can be used for food, communication or transportation to their places of origin.
She highlighted that, by executive decree of President Daniel Noboa, they will be given a bonus of 470 dollars for three months, while they are trained for reintegration into the labor market.
In response to questions about the consular work, the foreign minister referred to last Sunday’s elections abroad, when the majority of voters outside the country supported the current president and candidate for reelection.
Assemblyman Gustavo Mateus, of the Citizen Revolution, stated that the Executive used all the state apparatus, including embassies and consulates, to campaign for Noboa and the candidates of the National Democratic Action (ADN).
On the other hand, Sommerfeld was questioned about whether efforts had been made so that the returned Ecuadorians would not be handcuffed during the trip.
“We sat down with the United States authorities and analyzed them. And, of course, we always demand that human rights be respected,” said the minister.
According to official records, 1.2 million Ecuadorians live in the United States and of them around 400 thousand would be in an irregular situation, which is why they run the risk of deportation.
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