The United States and Panama have reached a significant agreement that will have far-reaching implications for the handling of migrant flows in the region. The agreement, signed on Monday, will allow American officials to assist the Panamanian government in deporting migrants who cross the Darién Gap, a dense jungle that has become a popular transit point for those seeking to reach the U.S. southern border.
This joint initiative will see U.S. immigration officials providing training and support to Panamanian authorities to enhance their capacity to carry out more deportations of migrants heading north. In recent years, Panama has witnessed a surge in the number of crossings through the roadless Darién jungle, with over half a million reported in 2023 alone.
The Department of Homeland Security will be deploying officials with expertise in screening asylum claims and deporting migrants to Panama to work alongside their Panamanian counterparts on the ground. Additionally, the U.S. will use funds from the State Department to assist Panama in building up its deportation infrastructure.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who was present at the inauguration of Panama’s President-elect José Raúl Mulino, emphasized that the agreement is part of a broader regional response to the migration challenge. Mayorkas stated, “As the United States continues to secure our borders and remove individuals without a legal basis to remain, we are grateful for our partnership with Panama to manage the historic levels of migration across the Western Hemisphere.”
President Mulino has taken a firm stance against migrant arrivals in Panama, pledging to “close” the Darién Gap and accusing international aid workers of facilitating illegal migration. The collaboration between the U.S. and Panama has been in the works for several months, with CBS News initially reporting on the Biden administration’s plans to send U.S. immigration officials to Panama in November.
This move is part of a broader strategy by the Biden administration to curb illegal crossings at the U.S. southern border. Following President Biden’s decision to partially halt asylum processing through executive action, unlawful border crossings reached their lowest levels recorded during his administration last month.
The agreement underscores the extent to which the U.S., under both Democratic and Republican administrations, has increasingly relied on cooperation with other nations to reduce migrant flows along its southern border. In recent months, Mexican authorities have intensified efforts to prevent migrants from reaching northern Mexico, while Ecuador has imposed visa requirements for Chinese migrants using the country as a transit point to the U.S. border.
The partnership between the U.S. and Panama reflects a broader trend of international collaboration to address migration challenges. The two countries are working together to enhance border security and streamline deportation procedures to manage the flow of migrants in the region.
As the global migration landscape continues to evolve, it is clear that coordinated efforts among nations are essential to effectively manage migration flows and address the underlying drivers of displacement. The agreement between the U.S. and Panama represents a step towards a more comprehensive and cooperative approach to managing migration in the Western Hemisphere.
In conclusion, the agreement between the United States and Panama to collaborate on deportations through the Darién Gap signals a significant development in the ongoing efforts to address migration challenges in the region. By working together to enhance border security and deportation procedures, the two countries are taking proactive steps to manage the flow of migrants and ensure the integrity of their respective borders. This partnership exemplifies the importance of international cooperation in addressing complex migration issues and underscores the need for coordinated action to effectively manage migration flows in the Western Hemisphere and beyond.
