TL/DR –
The US government has agreed to cover the costs of repatriating migrants entering Panama illegally under a new deal. The agreement, formed with Panama’s new president José Raúl Mulino, is aimed at closing the Darién Gap, a dangerous route used by migrants to reach the US. The deal will see the US homeland security teams help Panama train personnel and build the expertise to determine which migrants can be removed under Panama’s immigration laws, with the US then footing the bill for their return to their home countries.
US to Cover Repatriation Costs for Migrants Entering Panama Illegally
The US has agreed to fund the cost of repatriating migrants entering Panama illegally, as part of a deal with Panama’s new president, José Raúl Mulino. To address the “humanitarian and environmental crisis,” Mulino is seeking international assistance to shut down the dangerous Darién Gap, commonly used by migrants traveling to the US.
Record numbers of migrants, over 520,000 in the previous year, risked their lives to traverse the Darién Gap. This dense jungle, located on Panama’s border with Colombia, is often utilized by smugglers. “We cannot continue financing the economic and social costs of massive illegal immigration,” Mulino stated.
The new foreign minister of Panama signed a memorandum of understanding with the US to “close off the passing of illegal immigrants through the Darién,” according to a statement from the Panamanian government. Alejandro Mayorkas, the US homeland security secretary, endorsed the agreement during Mulino’s inauguration. This pact ensures the US will foot the bill for the repatriation of illegal migrants entering Panama.
A White House spokesperson said the agreement aims to curb the number of migrants smuggled through the Darién, typically en route to the US. This will also “deter irregular migration” and counter smuggling networks that exploit vulnerable migrants. US homeland security teams in Panama will train personnel to determine which migrants can be removed under Panama’s immigration laws, according to administration officials. The US will cover the travel expenses for the return of these migrants to their home countries.
The Darién Gap has become a popular route for migrants, especially from Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, and China, attempting to reach the US. Over 190,000 people have crossed it in 2024 alone.
The Biden administration has been criticized for its handling of immigration and border security, notably by former president Donald Trump. However, undocumented crossings at the US’s southern border have recently fallen to a three-year low, the lowest in Joe Biden’s presidency, following a controversial executive order limiting immigration in June.
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