Secretary of State Marco Rubio concluded a busy week marked by a focus on immigration and border security, culminating in a diplomatic victory concerning the deportation of Colombian nationals.

The week began with new directives from Rubio, emphasizing national security in visa processing and implementing stricter vetting procedures for applicants from high-risk countries. He reinforced the administration's commitment to stemming mass migration and bolstering border security, stating that diplomatic efforts, especially within the Western Hemisphere, would prioritize these goals.

A key event of the week was the temporary suspension of visa issuance in Colombia following President Gustavo Petro's initial refusal to accept deportation flights from the U.S. Rubio announced sanctions, stating that they would remain until Colombia cooperated. Swiftly, Colombia reversed its stance and agreed to the terms set by the Trump administration, although visa sanctions will persist until the deportations are completed.

This diplomatic exchange underscored the State Department's concentrated efforts on immigration-related matters. In addition to the actions concerning Colombia, the department paused new funding for foreign aid programs amidst concerns about their potential impact on migration flows.

Further actions included suspending the Refugee Admissions Program in line with a presidential order and issuing a global alert regarding impending changes to birthright citizenship, also based on a presidential directive. The department collaborated with other agencies on border security and the implementation of the birthright citizenship order, including efforts to revoke the green card of a Moroccan terrorist. This interagency cooperation was evident in the successful resolution of the situation with Colombia.