The Biden administration-funded deportation flights that were supposed to help Panama expel illegal migrants caught crossing the dangerous Darien Gap en route to the United States are voluntary, Panama’s president said Thursday.
Under an agreement signed earlier this month, the United States agreed to “cover” the costs of repatriating illegal migrants after Panama’s new president, José Raúl Mulino, vowed to close the dangerous stretch of jungle, known as a “super highway” for asylum seekers hoping to reach America.
However, a few weeks later, Mulino revealed that migrants must agree to be deported, calling it a “U.S. problem.”
“This is a U.S. problem that we are dealing with. People don’t want to live here in Panama, they want to go to the United States,” Mulino said, adding that those who choose to forgo flights “will go (to the United States).”
“I can’t stop them, we can’t forcibly repatriate them,” he said.
Former border officials say the deal will do nothing to stem the overwhelming flow of migrants toward the U.S.-Mexico border — and that Panama is taking advantage of the Biden administration.
“They’re not going to leave. That’s why it’s voluntary. Panama knows that. Panama makes money from the trip north. Some will leave if they’re tired, injured or broke, but most will keep going,” John Fabbricatore, retired ICE field office director, told the Post.
“In my opinion, the number of illegal immigrants undertaking this journey will continue to increase and Panama will repatriate fewer and fewer of them.”
By 2024, more than 212,000 people, mostly from Venezuela, will have crossed the region, according to the Associated Press.
“Almost all of Venezuela passes through there every day,” Mulino said.
Another former border chief, Chris Clem, said the Biden administration needs to be more proactive and strengthen its own border policies.
“We should not rely on other countries to restrict illegal immigration to solve our problems while our own administration encourages illegal behavior at the border,” said Clam, a former border chief for the Yuma Sector.
“To achieve this, we need a secure border, backed by strong policies.”
After winning his last election, Mulino promised to close the Darien Gap to migrants.
Since he took office, 11,363 migrants have crossed the border into Panama, about 9,000 fewer than the same period last year, according to the Associated Press.
The latest deal between Panama and the United States came amid growing concern among U.S. officials over the rise of the vicious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which operates in major U.S. metropolitan areas, such as New York, where its members reportedly smuggle weapons into city-run migrant shelters.
