U.S. and Panama Sign Agreement to Help Deport Migrants Crossing Darién Gap

On June 27, 2024, the United States and Panama reached an agreement aimed at addressing the increasing flow of migrants crossing the Darién Gap, a once-impenetrable jungle that has become a popular transit point for those journeying to the U.S. southern border.

Collaborative Measures

As part of the joint initiative, U.S. immigration officials will provide training and support to Panamanian authorities, enabling them to conduct more deportations of migrants heading north. This collaboration seeks to address the rising number of crossings along the roadless Darién jungle, with Panama recording over half a million crossings in the year 2023 alone.

Support and Infrastructure

The Department of Homeland Security will deploy experienced officials to assist Panamanian counterparts on the ground, drawing on their expertise in screening asylum claims and carrying out deportations. Furthermore, the United States will utilize State Department funds to aid Panama in developing its deportation infrastructure.

Statements from Officials

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas highlighted the regional nature of the agreement, emphasizing the United States' commitment to managing the historic levels of migration across the Western Hemisphere. This statement was made during the inauguration of Panama's President-elect José Raúl Mulino on Monday.

Challenges and Response

President-elect Mulino has expressed a firm stance against migrant arrivals in Panama, promising to "close" the Darién Gap and accusing international aid workers of facilitating illegal migration. The bilateral arrangement between the U.S. and Panama had been under discussion for several months, with the Biden administration's plans to dispatch U.S. immigration officials to Panama first reported by CBS News in November.

Broader Implications

This latest move is part of a broader effort by the Biden administration to curb illegal crossings at the U.S. southern border. In addition to partially halting asylum processing using executive authority, the administration has seen a notable decrease in unlawful border crossings. Notably, the agreement underscores the U.S.'s reliance on international partnerships to address migrant crossings along its southern border, a trend observed across both Democratic and Republican administrations.

International Efforts

It is important to recognize that similar efforts have been made by other countries to manage migrant flows. Mexico, for example, has undertaken aggressive measures to prevent migrants from reaching northern Mexico, while Ecuador has recently enforced visa requirements for Chinese migrants, who were using the country as a transit point to reach the U.S. border.