Colombian authorities have expelled nine members of the ultra-Orthodox Jewish sect Lev Tahor, days after immigration officials rescued 17 minors allegedly subjected to abuse within the community.
The group was removed from the country on Monday as part of an ongoing investigation into child mistreatment involving the sect.
Lev Tahor, known for its strict religious practices that require women to wear full black tunics from head to toe, has faced repeated allegations of child abuse and forced marriages across several countries, including Mexico and Canada.
The sect has long drawn international scrutiny, with some of its leaders currently wanted under Interpol red notices.
Images released by Colombian authorities showed the expelled members, dressed in traditional black garments, passing through security at Medellín airport before boarding a flight to New York, where they were handed over to U.S. officials.
A spokesperson for Colombia’s migration agency confirmed that several of the rescued minors, originating from the United States, Guatemala and other countries, were also flown back to the U.S. on the same aircraft. They have since been placed under the care of American child protective services.
Formed in the 1980s, Lev Tahor, whose name translates to “pure heart”, established a significant settlement in Guatemala in 2013.
Authorities estimate the sect consists of around 50 families spread across Guatemala, the United States, Canada and other nations.
The latest operation follows a major rescue mission in Guatemala in December 2024, when 160 minors were removed from a farm occupied by Lev Tahor.
Prosecutors there accused sect members of crimes including forced pregnancy, mistreatment of minors and sexual abuse.
Colombian officials say their investigations are ongoing and international cooperation will continue as more allegations surrounding the group emerge.
Source: AFP
Written By Rodney Mbua
