Asunción, Agencia IP.- The President of the National Commission for Stateless Persons and Refugees (Conare), Carlos Vera, outlined the key points of the arrival of 25 people this Thursday, part of the migration cooperation agreement signed between Paraguay and the United States.
The Head of Conare explained the Memorandum of Understanding established with the United States, which will allow the arrival of the first group of 25 migrants from various Spanish-speaking countries who are currently in the United States.
Among the key points of this memorandum, he detailed that the International Organization for Migration (IOM) will be responsible for financing the agreement (covering airfare and accommodations), which allows for the arrival of a maximum of 25 people per month with a temporary stay in Paraguay of between three and seven days. If this period is extended, it will continue to be funded by the IOM.
One of the requirements of the agreement is that migrants arriving in Paraguay under its terms must not have a criminal record; otherwise, they will not be eligible for the agreement’s benefits.
«The agreement allows for up to 25 people per month who have been unable to complete the United States immigration processes. The list will be submitted by the United States government. Our regulations also allow us to reject applications if they do not have the required documentation,» he stated in an interview with state media.
He also emphasized that those who wish to remain in Paraguay must undergo the country’s immigration process for asylum applications, with each case reviewed by the Immigration Department.
The IOM, in conjunction with the Immigration Department, will be responsible for monitoring the process from arrival in Paraguay until the migrants’ return to their respective countries.
The President of Conare explained that confidentiality regarding migrants’ nationalities and where they will be housed is part of the Refugee Law’s operational processes.