Chilean Congress passes bill to accelerate deportations of undocumented migrants

Chile's Congress has approved a bill to streamline and accelerate the administrative deportation of immigrants living in the country without legal status, UPI reported. Both legislative chambers gave final approval to the measure on Wednesday. [1]

According to UPI, the legislation aims to facilitate the enforcement of roughly 75,000 pending deportation orders. Officials estimate that around 330,000 people are currently living in Chile without legal immigration status. [1]

The original bill was introduced in 2024 under former President Gabriel Boric, UPI reported. It gained legislative momentum under the current administration of President José Antonio Kast. [1]

Chile declared independence from Spain in 1818 and grew into a stable republic following 19th-century expansion. The nation later experienced political volatility during the 20th century, including a 1973 military coup. [2]