Voluntary Departure Is Not Removal: The Case of "El Flaco Will"

The Venezuelan influencer known as "El Flaco Will," who has been detained for months, has accepted an order of voluntary departure. But what does this mean, and why is it different from a standard removal?

Here are the key points to understand about this case:

It is not the same as a forced removal:

Unlike a traditional removal order, voluntary departure does not carry the automatic 10-year bar on reentering the United States.

Mandatory Return to Venezuela?

Not necessarily. One advantage of voluntary departure is that the person can choose to be sent to a third country (such as Mexico, Spain, Ecuador, among others), provided that country agrees to accept them.

This suggests that, given the political situation, his destination is likely not to be Venezuela, but rather a country with an agreement in place.