José Antonio Kast, presidential candidate of the Republican Party, defended his initiative for irregular immigrants to pay for their exit from Chile. At a campaign event, he detailed that they will have 133 days to leave voluntarily with their belongings or face expulsion without benefits. The proposal has drawn criticism from rivals like Jeannette Jara and Evelyn Matthei.
During Sunday's presidential debate, José Antonio Kast proposed that immigrants with expulsion orders contribute by paying for their return ticket to their country of origin, arguing it is cheaper than detaining them in Chile. “Those same people will collaborate to pay for their exit from Chile, because it is much more economical than retaining them in Chile, asking them to collaborate so they return to their homeland,” Kast said.
The measure prompted immediate reactions. Jeannette Jara, the officialism's candidate, called it “an imaginary proposal that gives an imaginary result.” Evelyn Matthei, from Chile Vamos, Democrats, and Yellows, questioned its feasibility, stating it would only be viable for drug traffickers, as “the others won't” have the money, unless they resort to crime again.
On Wednesday, at a campaign event, Kast presented details of the Border Shield Plan, announced in March, which consists of three phases. Among its objectives: reinforce maritime border control in the northern zone, update the National Migration and Foreigners Policy, and diplomatically demand Bolivia optimize its border control. Retired General Cristián Vial, Senate candidate for El Maule, led the briefing.
Kast criticized Jara: “I would say that only some people live in an imaginary country, like a wonderland, a fantasy country, where it seems that irregular immigration doesn't affect anyone.” Regarding expulsion, he will appeal to irregulars to leave voluntarily “with all their goods and resources.” “They have 133 days to do it,” until March 11, when he would assume if he wins. If not, they will be expelled without benefits, with the option to contribute to the ticket using Chilean planes for a “more comfortable or more uncomfortable” exit, “with goods or without goods.”
For cases like Venezuela that do not receive deportees, Kast mentioned creating refuge centers until they send planes. He assured that the investment in flights won't be high and that Chileans would be willing to spend up to 300 million dollars to expel irregulars. In a related video, he hardened his tone: “If they don't do it voluntarily, we will go look for them and there will be sanctions. They will never enter Chilean soil again.”