The deportation flights funded by the Biden administration were supposed to help Panama deport illegal migrants attempting to cross the dangerous Darien Canyon on their way to the United States, but Panama’s president said Thursday that participation was voluntary.
In a deal signed earlier this month, the United States agreed to “cover” the costs of repatriating illegal immigrants after Panama’s new president, José Raul Mulino, vowed to close a dangerous stretch of jungle known as the “super highway” for asylum seekers hoping to reach the United States.
But a few weeks later, Murino revealed that migrants would have to agree to be deported, calling it an “American issue.”
“This is a U.S. problem we’re dealing with. People don’t want to live in Panama, they want to go to the U.S.,” Mulino said, adding that those who give up on flights “are [to the US].
“We can’t arrest them, we can’t deport them,” he said.
Former border officials say the deal will not stop the overwhelming flow of migrants heading to the U.S.-Mexico border and that Panama is simply taking advantage of the Biden administration.
“They’re not going to go willingly, that’s why they’re doing it voluntarily, and Panama knows that. They make money off the journey north. Some will go even if they’re tired, injured or out of money, but the majority will just go,” John Fabbricatore, a former ICE field director, told The Post.
“In my opinion, the number of illegal immigrants will continue to grow and Panama will deport fewer and fewer people.”
In 2024, more than 212,000 people, mostly from Venezuela, will have already crossed the region. According to the Associated Press.
“Almost the entire population of Venezuela walks there every day,” Mulino said.
Chris Klemm, another former border commissioner, said the Biden administration needs to act more aggressively and tighten its own border policies.
“We should not rely on other countries to limit illegal immigration to solve our problems when our own administration is encouraging illegal activity on our border,” said Crum, a former Border Patrol chief in the Yuma Sector.
“To achieve this, we need a secure border backed by strong policies.”
After winning the most recent election, Mulino vowed to ban immigrants from entering the Darien Gap.
Since assuming his position,11,363 migrants crossed the border According to the Associated Press, the number of refugees at the Panamanian border is about 9,000 fewer than at this time last year.
The latest agreement between Panama and the United States comes amid growing concern among U.S. authorities over the rise of the Tren de Aragua, a violent Venezuelan gang operating in major U.S. metropolitan areas, including New York City, whose members are said to be smuggling guns into migrant shelters run by the city.
