The Ecuadorian community in the U.S. is on edge due to stricter immigration policies under President Donald Trump. Here’s the current situation regarding deportations:

ICE reports that 593 migrants of various nationalities were detained in raids as of January 24, 2024, with Ecuadorians among them. According to Fox News, over 1.4 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. have final deportation orders, including 31,252 Ecuadorians.

These deportation orders are final, following due legal process, including hearings and appeals. If migrants don’t leave by their given date, they remain undocumented and face permanent federal arrest warrants.

William Murillo, director of 1-800 Migrante, explains that while migrants with ongoing legal cases cannot be detained, those without active cases or who have exhausted appeals face immediate risk. His office has seen a surge in inquiries from Ecuadorians seeking help with asylum, dual nationality, and other legal options.

ICE data also highlights deportation orders for migrants from countries like Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Venezuela. Murillo notes that deportation flights to Ecuador occur two to three times weekly.

Economic and social impact

There are about 14 million migrants in the U.S., and deporting such a high number would require significant resources. Lawyer Ivonne Téllez from the Catholic University of Quito estimates there are 2.4 million Ecuadorian migrants worldwide, with 800,000 in the U.S. The new anti-immigration law signed by Trump on January 22, 2025, has worsened the situation, restricting asylum requests and increasing deportations.

Téllez warns this could harm the rights of migrants and reduce remittances, which are vital for Ecuador’s economy. She also questions the feasibility of mass deportations, citing the 1.7 million deportations during Trump’s first term as a reference point.

Broader effects

Trump’s policies may deter future migration to the U.S., but many will continue risking their lives, relying on smugglers and dangerous routes like the Darién Gap. Migration patterns may shift, but the drive for a better life remains strong.

The situation highlights the complexities of immigration enforcement, the economic reliance on migrant labor, and the human toll of restrictive policies.

Source: EcuaVisa.

The Ecuadorian government is rolling out a new plan aimed at helping undocumented Ecuadorians return home voluntarily from the United States. Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld shared the proposal, which comes in response to U.S. migration policies under former President Donald Trump that raised concerns over mass deportations.

Stepping Up Support for Ecuadorians Abroad

With fears of increased deportations, Ecuador is bolstering its efforts to assist citizens in the U.S., where it currently operates 12 consulates. Over the past year, the number of cases involving vulnerable Ecuadorians has surged by 150%, reaching over 1,400.

To meet this demand, more consulate staff will be sent to the U.S. "We’re preparing for what’s coming," Sommerfeld told Radio Centro. She also highlighted the government's focus on protecting Ecuadorians from human trafficking networks. "We want to stop this from happening and encourage Ecuadorians to stay in Ecuador," she said.

An Action Plan for Returning Ecuadorians

In response to stricter U.S. migration policies, Ecuador’s Foreign Ministry has developed a plan to support both forced and voluntary returns.

One of the key elements is the voluntary return program, which involves organizing flights for Ecuadorians who wish to return home. These flights, initially focused on those near the southern U.S. border, may expand to reach more Ecuadorians in other regions.

Shifting Focus to Migration Reform and Human Trafficking

Despite efforts led by President Daniel Noboa to push for the regularization of Ecuadorian migrants in the U.S., these initiatives have yet to succeed. Now, the government is shifting its focus to addressing human trafficking and promoting safe, regulated migration pathways.

Source: El Mercurio.

Ecuador's flag is a tricolor design that carries deep historical and cultural significance. It consists of three horizontal bands: yellow, blue, and red, arranged in proportions of 2:1:1. The yellow stripe occupies the upper half of the flag, while the blue and red stripes share the lower half equally. Each color embodies a distinct aspect of Ecuador's identity and history:

• Yellow symbolizes the abundance and fertility of the nation's land, highlighting Ecuador's rich agricultural heritage and natural wealth. It also represents the country's biodiversity and resources, reflecting its position as one of the most ecologically diverse nations in the world.

• Blue represents the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, which borders Ecuador, as well as the skies that stretch across its diverse landscapes. This color emphasizes the country's connection to nature and its geographical location.

• Red honors the sacrifices made by Ecuadorian soldiers and martyrs during the battles for independence from Spanish rule. It serves as a reminder of the bloodshed and struggles endured to achieve freedom and sovereignty.

The national flag often features Ecuador's coat of arms centered on the yellow and blue bands when used for official purposes. The coat of arms includes iconic elements such as the Andean condor, Mount Chimborazo (a symbol of the nation's geographical pride), and a depiction of a steamboat on the Guayas River, which represents progress and commerce.

Ecuador's flag was officially adopted on September 26, 1860, and its design is closely related to the flags of Colombia and Venezuela, reflecting their shared history as part of Gran Colombia in the early 19th century.

Demonstrations against the government of Daniel Noboa took place on Friday in several Ecuadorian cities in rejection of prolonged blackouts, insecurity, criminal violence and the ongoing economic crisis, which protesters attribute to the current administration. 

The president has declared a new 60-days state of exception in the provinces of Guayas, Los Ríos, Manabí, Orellana, Santa Elena, the Quito Distrito Metropolitanan District, and the canton of Camilo Ponce Enríquez because of “conmoción interna” and “conflicto armado interno”.

The state of exception includes a curfew from 10 pm until 5 am in the cantons of Camilo Ponce Enríquez, Durán, Balao,

Babahoyo, Buena Fé, Quevedo, Pueblo Viejo, Vinces, Valencia, Ventanas, Mocache, Urdaneta, Baba, Palenque, Quinsaloma, Montalvo, La Joya De Los Sachas, Puerto Francisco de Orellana, Loreto, and the parish of Tenguel in the province of Guayas.

See Presidential Decree 2024/410 for the whole text: this link.

The National Electoral Council (CNE) announced on Thursday that Ecuador's presidential and legislative elections will take place on February 9, 2025. Incumbent president Daniel Noboa, who was elected in 2023 to complete Guillermo Lasso's term, will be running for reelection.

Lasso called for a snap election in 2023 to avoid potential impeachment for alleged embezzlement. Noboa's current term, lasting only 18 months, was the result of that early vote.

The CNE confirmed that the election would include the selection of a president, vice president, five Andean Parliament representatives, and 151 members of the National Assembly, an increase from 137 due to population growth.

With more than 13.7 million registered voters, including over 456,000 abroad, Ecuador will see 17 presidential candidates in the race, including Leonidas Iza, leader of the country’s largest Indigenous organization, and Henry Kronfle, the current president of the National Assembly.

Noboa, a centrist backed by right-wing parties and known for his neoliberal policies, surprised many in 2023 by winning over 52% of the vote against socialist candidate Luisa Gonzalez, who is also running again. Noboa, heir to a banana empire, was born in the United States.