Thousands upon thousands of migrants have been moving through the Darién Gap, attempting incredibly dangerous trips towards the United States. And while we feel empathy for those attempting to build better lives for their families, we are just as frustrated by the chaos we’ve been witnessing not just in Panama, but all over the US and surrounding regions. The crisis grows daily, and the age-old question never changes. What on earth is our government going to do to slow the rush towards US borders? Panama, startlingly, has decided to take matters into its own hands. Whether their method will be effective or not remains to be seen.
Panama’s efforts to control the flow of migrants through the treacherous Darién Gap, including unprecedented barbed-wire fencing and an agreement with the U.S. to facilitate deportations, signal a new chapter in this ongoing saga.
The U.S. and Panama have reached a decisive agreement to cooperate in deporting migrants crossing the Darién Gap. This collaboration is significant, as U.S. immigration authorities will aid Panama in enhancing the deportation of north-bound migrants. The Homeland Security Department will lend expertise on screening asylum applications and deporting migrants. Meanwhile, the U.S. will financially support Panama in strengthening its deportation infrastructure. This crucial agreement is not only a show of unity but a testament to the U.S.’s reliance on foreign partnerships to manage its borders.
The statistics are alarming. Panama saw a staggering surge in crossings through the Darién Gap last year, with over 500,000 reported, prompting Panamanian President-elect José Mulino to pledge a firm stance against migrant inflows. To tackle this, the U.S. has agreed to cover Panama’s expenses for deporting people who enter Panama illegally, underlining the U.S.’s commitment to managing the flow of people attempting to reach its borders.
To further deter U.S.-bound migrants, Panama has installed barbed-wire fencing along the Darién Gap. Despite predictions that it won’t effectively curb the crossings, Panama remains determined to safeguard its borders. Videos and messages shared among migrants, demonstrating methods to bypass the fencing, only amplify concerns that this initiative might push migrants towards even riskier routes.
“By returning such individuals to their country of origin, we will help deter irregular migration in the region and at our southern border.”
Experts aren’t sure the methods Panama is using to deport migrants will be enough. With many chartering flights to places like El Salvador and Nicaragua, the danger remains unchecked. The collaboration between the US and Panama may stem the flow a bit, but the solution seems far from permanent. Both nations will need to take a cold, hard look at the real causes of the migration. A complete reevaluation of the situation may not only create a closer global community, but a more realistic answer to a growing problem.
More from Around the Web:
Migrants and the Darién Gap:
Over a half million people have made this treacherous journey:
Kamran on Bike talks about how he crossed the gap:
Do you know what Darien Gap is?
It's an area between the South and North American continents consisting of a thick jungle, swamps, and mountains. There is no road here between Colombia and Panama.So how did I cross it? pic.twitter.com/zWXElWdDx1
— Kamran On Bike (@kamranonbike) March 10, 2022
