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A4 U.S. NEWS
Friday 6 OctOber 2023

Biden administration is resuming deportation flights for Venezuelan

migrants as arrivals grow

By Mark Stevenson, Mi- commercial flights, but in
chael Balsamo and Col- relatively small numbers
leen Long and through third countries.
Associated Press In Venezuela, the govern-
MEXICO CITY (AP) — The ment said it had reached
Biden administration will an agreement with U.S. of-
resume deporting Venezu- ficials for a safe and orderly
elan migrants, the largest repatriation.
single group encountered “Venezuelan migration in
at the U.S.-Mexico border recent years is a direct re-
last month, back to their sult of the application of
economically troubled unilateral coercive mea-
country as their arrivals sures and a blockade of
continue to grow. The pro- our economy,” Venezu-
cess is expected to begin ela's foreign ministry said
shortly, said two U.S. offi- via X, the platform formerly
cials, though they did not known as Twitter. It said the
provide specific details on government would deploy
when the flights would be- a program to support repa-
gin taking off. The officials triated Venezuelans.
were not authorized to The U.S. move is the latest
disclose details of the gov- effort to deal with swell-
ernment’s plan and spoke ing numbers of migrants as
to the AP on condition of Migrants heading north line up to take a boat, in Bajo Chiquito, Darien province, Panama, the administration comes
anonymity. Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, after walking across the Darien Gap from Colombia. under increasing pres-
(AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco)
The resumption of depor- sure from Republicans and
tation comes not long af- reflects the larger strategy how frequently deporta- accept back its nationals. mayors from the president’s
ter the administration in- by President Joe Biden to tion flights would be going Cuba, another U.S. adver- own party to do more to
creased protected status not only provide expanded to Venezuela or describe sary, announced earlier slow arrivals.
for Venezuelans who arrive legal pathways for people how Venezuela agreed this year that it would be- The announcement came
to the U.S., so if someone arriving, but also to crack to accept back their citi- gin accepting Cuban de- as U.S. Secretary of State
arrived to the U.S. before down on those who illegally zens except to say that, portees but there has only Antony Blinken and other
July 31 of this year, but not cross into the country from like other countries around been one flight a month. top Biden administration of-
after, they'd be eligible for Mexico. The officials would the world, the U.S. has long The U.S. had been return- ficials met with their coun-
protections. The decision not discuss details about encouraged Venezuela to ing some Venezuelans via terparts in Mexico City.q

Evidence at New York fraud trial shows

that Trump’s financial statements were

key to a loan deal

insider from the Trump Or- the financial statements ed immunity to testify for
ganization to testify at the “would be taken very se- the prosecution in the trial,
trial, where New York Attor- riously.” People who did which ended in the com-
ney General Letitia James business with him were giv- pany's conviction. Trump
is alleging that Trump and en ample warning not to himself wasn’t charged in
his business deceived trust them, he said. that case.
banks, insurers and others James, however, has said McConney took the stand
with fraudulent financial the statements were the at the current civil trial after
Trump Organization senior vice president and controller Jeffrey
McConney returns to the courthouse after a break in the statements that vastly over- crux of “persistent and re- days of testimony from two
company's trial on Nov. 1, 2022, in New York. valued Trump Tower, Mar- peated fraud.” accountants who worked
Associated Press a-Lago and other assets. McConney worked at the on the financial statements.
Trump denies any wrong- Trump Organization from James’ legal team sought
By Michael R. Sisak and empire's loan deals. doing and says James, a 1987 until this past February to demonstrate that Trump
Jennifer Peltz A state lawyer showed Democrat, is just trying to and had deep knowledge and his company had
Associated Press letters that former Trump damage his 2024 presiden- of the company’s transac- complete control over the
NEW YORK (AP) — Former company controller Jeffrey tial campaign. He’s lead- tions. At the company's preparation of the state-
President Donald Trump McConney sent to a bank, ing the Republican field. criminal tax fraud trial last ments, with the outside
has said he never thought saying he was providing Trump himself didn't attend year, McConney admitted accountants relying on
his yearly financial state- Trump’s 2015 and 2016 fi- the proceedings Thursday, breaking the law to help information the Trump Or-
ments “would be taken nancial statements as re- after choosing to be there fellow executives avoid ganization provided. The
very seriously.” But evi- quired under the condi- — and avail himself of the taxes on company-paid defense tried to show that
dence Thursday at his New tions of a loan for his Seven news cameras waiting out- perks, including by filing if there were problems with
York civil fraud trial showed Springs estate north of New side — for the three prior false tax returns and failing the financial statements,
the statements were inte- York City. days. Trump said in pretrial to report the benefits to tax the flubs were accountant
gral to some of his business McConney was the first ex- testimony that he never felt authorities. He was grant- Donald Bender's fault. q