The Biden administration-funded deportation flights, which were supposed to help Panama deport illegal migrants caught crossing the treacherous Darien Gap on their way to the US, are voluntary, Panama’s President said Thursday.
Under a deal signed earlier this month, the US agreed to “cover” the costs of repatriating the illegal migrants after Panama’s new President, José Raúl Mulino, vowed to shut down the dangerous stretch of jungle — which is known as a “superhighway” for asylum-seekers hoping to make it to America.
However, weeks later, Mulino revealed that migrants must agree to be deported — and called it a “United States problem.”
“This is a United States problem that we are managing. 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 the flights will “go [to the US].
“I can’t arrest them, we can’t forcibly repatriate them,” he said.
Ex-border chiefs say the deal will now do nothing to stem the crushing flow of migrants headed to the US-Mexico border — and that Panama is taking advantage of the Biden administration.
“They will not go for it. That is why it is voluntary. Panama knows this. Panama is making money off of the journey north. Some will go if they are tired, hurt or broke, but most will continue,” retired ICE field office director John Fabbricatore told The Post.
“In my opinion, the number of illegals making the journey will continue to rise, and Panama will repatriate fewer and fewer.”
In 2024, more than 212,000 people, largely from Venezuela, have already crossed the region, according to the Associated Press.
“Practically all of Venezuela is walking through there every day,” Mulino said.
Another former border chief, Chris Clem, said the Biden administration needs to be more proactive and toughen up its own border policies.
“We should not rely on other countries to restrict illegal immigration to solve our problems when our own administration encourages unlawful behavior at the border,” Clam, who is the former border chief for the Yuma sector, said.
“We need a secure border backed by strong policies to get this done.”
After winning his latest election, Mulino vowed to shut down the Darien Gap to migrants.
Since he took office,11,363 migrants have crossed Panama’s border, which is roughly 9,000 fewer than the same period last year, according to the Associated Press.
The latest deal between Panama and the US came about amid increasing concern from US officials on the rise of the vicious Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, which has been operating in major metropolitan areas of the US, like New York City — where its members are said to be smuggling guns into city-run migrant shelters.