WASHINGTON – The United States and Panama announced a new foreign assistance program, funded by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to address irregular migration in the region. This initiative aims to assist the Panamanian government in deporting foreign nationals without legal status in Panama. The program seeks to mitigate the surge in irregular migration through the Darien region, which saw over 520,000 migrants pass through in 2023.
The agreement enhances cooperation on migration management between the U.S. and Panama, supporting safe and efficient repatriation operations that include protection screening. The removal flight program is part of a broader regional strategy to tackle irregular migration. DHS will provide training and capacity building to ensure Panama’s repatriation processes are safe and humane.
“Irregular migration is a regional challenge that requires a regional response,” stated Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “The United States continues to secure our borders and remove individuals without legal status, and we value our partnership with Panama in managing the historic levels of migration across the Western Hemisphere.”
Under the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, the U.S. is collaborating with 21 regional partners to promote stability, expand legal migration pathways, and manage borders humanely. DHS enforces U.S. immigration laws and imposes strict consequences on those without legal grounds to stay in the U.S., aligning with international obligations. On June 4, President Biden issued a Proclamation to temporarily suspend the entry of certain noncitizens across the Southern border, resulting in a 40% decrease in the Border Patrol’s 7-day encounter average and over 120 international repatriation flights to more than 20 countries.
The U.S. urges migrants to utilize the expanded lawful pathways and processes instead of risking their lives with smugglers and crossing borders unlawfully only to face removal.–News Desk