The Darien Gap in Panama, a once busy route for immigrants heading to the US, now stands nearly deserted as President Trump’s stringent immigration policies take effect.
According to Panama’s immigration agency, the number of migrants traversing the perilous jungle path connecting Colombia and Panama has dropped dramatically, nearing zero.
In June, only ten migrants crossed this area, according to the latest statistics.
Previously, under President Biden, crossings peaked at 37,166 in February 2024, as indicated by data from the Department of Homeland Security.
In 2023, more than 530,000 migrants relied on human smugglers for the grueling journey of around 2,600 miles toward the US.
In 2022, Panama authorities reported an average of 16,400 migrants crossing weekly, based on DHS figures.
The Trump administration attributes the significant decrease to enhanced border enforcement and expulsion tactics.
During Trump’s administration, illegal crossings at the US-Mexico border also fell to historic lows. In June, border agents apprehended about 6,000 illegal immigrants, as noted by Tom Homan, known as the “Border Czar”.
Additionally, customs and border security reported that more than 83,000 immigrants crossed the tropical border in June 2024, down from 99,000 in June 2023 and 192,000 in June 2022.
“The situation in the Darien Gap shows that migrants are pulling back before they reach our borders. Only ten managed to cross in June,” stated Tricia McLaughlin, deputy secretary for homeland security, in an interview with Axios.
She also emphasized, “The world is aware of our message that American borders are closed to illegal crossings.”
Meanwhile, Panama’s right-leaning President Jose Raul Murino has vowed to close off immigration routes, aiming for a 40% reduction in crossings by 2024. He stated, “The border with Darien is practically shut,” in a declaration from May.
