Colombia's migration agency has halted a program that aimed to return Colombian nationals apprehended by US immigration officers at the Mexico border due to concerns over the cruel and degrading treatment of migrants and last-minute flight cancellations.

The program, called "mom returns," planned to send mostly women, children, and adolescents back to Colombia.

Colombia was expecting around 1,200 migrants from the US during the first week of May, but flights scheduled for May 1 and May 2 were canceled, leading to the suspension of the program.

The migration agency cited mistreatment during detention and flights, including the use of handcuffs, as a key reason for the decision. The pause in the program reportedly applies only to flights carrying families. (ILKHA)