The United States and Panama have signed a pivotal agreement, allowing Panama to deport migrants passing through the Darien Gap using U.S. taxpayer funds. This agreement involves U.S. immigration experts training and assisting Panamanian authorities, with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sending asylum and enforcement specialists to Panama.
To facilitate this process, the State Department will allocate funds to help Panama build necessary deportation infrastructure. This unprecedented move marks the first time the U.S. has financially supported deportation flights in a foreign country. Panama’s new president, Jose Raul Mulino, has promised to tackle illegal migration, further aligning with the Biden administration’s strategy.
Panama deported 29 Colombians on Tuesday on a flight that the government said was the first paid for by the United States under an agreement the two countries signed in July.https://t.co/52YgU6BdRa
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) August 21, 2024
Migration Statistics and Official Visits
Last year alone, over 520,000 migrants, including Venezuelans, Ecuadorians, Colombians, and Chinese, journeyed through the Darien Gap into Panama. This influx prompted Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to attend President Mulino’s inauguration and endorse the agreement.
“I won’t allow Panama to be an open path for thousands of people who enter our country illegally, supported by an international organization related to drug trafficking and human trafficking.” – José Raúl Mulino, Panama’s new president (inauguration speech)
Despite the significant numbers, many experts remain skeptical about the policy’s long-term viability. They highlight logistical challenges and suggest that smugglers might simply redirect migrants through alternative routes. Some migrants have already started using charter flights to bypass the Darien Gap altogether.
Criticism and Ethical Questions
Critics argue that the policy faces numerous ethical and logistical issues. Concerns have been raised about the potential risks to Ecuadorians and Colombians, who may be forcibly returned to dangerous situations despite having valid protection claims. Colombia’s internal conflict and Ecuador’s recent declaration of an “internal armed conflict” exacerbate these fears.
“The U.S. funding of deportations from Panama is unprecedented and deeply concerning. This is the first time the U.S. is directly paying for another country’s removal flights.” – Refugee Rights
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas maintains that the program is designed to comply with international law, but skeptics point out Panama’s asylum agency’s limited resources and Panama’s difficulty screening for protection claims. Panama’s Office of the National Directorate of Refugees (ONPAR) and the UNHCR in the Darien region face severe resource constraints, complicating efforts to ensure fair evaluations of asylum claims.
Given the high stakes, many are calling for the Biden administration to expand lawful immigration pathways and support family reunification instead of funding deportations. The Safe Mobility Initiative and Family Reunification Parole Process, while including provisions for Venezuelans, Colombians, and Ecuadorians, are said to fall short of the actual needs of these immigrant groups.
