Panama City – In a serious bid to curb illegal migration, the government of Panama deported some Indian nationals for illegal entry. Roger Mojica, migration director of Panama, confirmed this deportation during a press conference on Sunday. He said that the Indian migrants were flown to New Delhi in a chartered flight because they were “irregularly migrating”.
US Praises Panama’s Efforts in Curbing Migration
During the same news conference, US Security Attaché to Central America Marlen Pineiro also thanked Panama for its efforts to handle the surge of irregular migrants. “We’re very grateful for this support by the government of Panama with all this,” said Pineiro. “Irregular migration can’t keep happening.”
The move reflects increasing pressure by Washington on transit countries like Panama and Mexico to stem the flow of undocumented migrants as the issue becomes increasingly politically sensitive in the run-up to US elections.
The Darien Gap: Dangerous Passage for Migrants
A dangerous swath of jungle that connects Colombia and Panama, the Darien Gap has become a key crossing point for migrants trying to make their way toward the United States, especially those from South America. More than half a million migrants, most of them Venezuelans, crossed the Darien last year despite the many dangers at the hands of criminal gangs and the formidable landscape.
The decision to deport migrants by Panama was a huge step toward controlling the inflow of immigration through the region. A deal signed in July allows the deportation of migrants with criminal records in the first phase but may be expanded to those who cross into Panama through the dangerous Darien Gap.
Global Migration Crisis Intensifies Amidst Regional Cooperation
Given that the migration crisis affects several countries in Central and South America, the efforts to stem the tide on the part of Panama fall into line with the broader regional cooperation. The US has been actively engaging with countries in the region to enforce more stringent policies with regard to migration and deportation, especially in light of dangerous crossings and humanitarian concerns surrounding the Darien Gap.
This makes Panama and Mexico, as key countries in the chain of transit states, come under increasing pressure from Washington to take immediate action. The international community needs both for managing migration flows and preventing irregular routes from deteriorating further, amidst an election year looming in the US.
The deportation of Indian nationals from Panama illustrates the enhanced regional and international focus on the management of irregular migration. Hundreds of thousands of people have risked their lives crossing dangerous routes, such as the Darien Gap, and coordinated solutions continue to lie with transit countries. The latest moves by Panama reflect the commitment of the country to handle the crisis with a humanitarian touch while adhering to laws on migration.