Change in Migration: Smugglers Now Facilitating Return Trips for Migrants

Human smugglers are now facilitating the return of migrants to their home countries as stricter U.S. immigration policies impede entry. Daily, 20 to 30 migrants are traveling from Panama to Colombia. Smugglers, such as El Zurdo, are offering return trips for $550 per person. This trend is causing significant changes in migration flow, leading to limited resources and increased safety risks for migrants.

In a notable shift, human smugglers are now facilitating the return of migrants to their home countries due to the intensified immigration policies of the Trump administration. Daily, between 20 and 30 migrants are departing from Panama to Colombia rather than traveling north to the United States. This trend is attributed to stricter deportation efforts and reduced avenues for legal residency in the U.S.

Smugglers like El Zurdo, who have historically assisted migrants heading north, are now offering return trips for $550 per individual. This fee covers transport to the Colombian town of Necoclí, along with basic accommodations and meals, according to a recent Bloomberg report. El Zurdo remarked, “This is a first in 10 years. We knew there would be changes coming, but I never imagined this.”

The Trump administration has increased deportations and made asylum processes more challenging, contributing to this migration reversal. Adam Isacson from the Washington Office on Latin America noted, “A small but significant number of people who’d come north expecting appointments and access to the U.S. asylum system are giving up and going south again.”

Estimations indicate that Panama’s government has reported 2,200 migrants, primarily adult males, reversing their journey south this year. Comparatively, only 408 migrants traversed north through Panama in February, a stark decline from the 37,000 recorded during the same period last year. Where smugglers once utilized the perilous Darien Gap, there is now a growing reliance on maritime routes for return.

Gardi Sugdub, an island that once accommodated Panama’s first climate refugees, is now a significant stop for migrants awaiting transportation southward. Although migrants pay $10 each day for shelter, the conditions are inadequate, lacking access to clean water and electricity.

In response to the shifting migration patterns, Panama’s Security Minister Frank Abrego acknowledged that while authorities are aware of these informal boat transfers, they are actively monitoring them to prevent human trafficking. Colombia’s Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia also mentioned the government’s exploration of programs aimed at supporting returning migrants through job and educational initiatives, while addressing rising xenophobia.

A tragedy occurred in late February when a boat carrying 21 migrants capsized near Panama, resulting in the death of an 8-year-old Venezuelan child. Ariel Ruiz from the Migration Policy Institute estimated that between 250,000 and 270,000 migrants remain stranded in Mexico due to enforcement policies, leading many to reevaluate their plans. Ruiz stated, “Instead of trying to wait and see what happens in U.S. policy, some begin to return.”

The article highlights a significant change in migrant patterns due to stringent immigration policies under the Trump administration, resulting in human smugglers offering return trips to Colombia. With deportations increasing and legal avenues for residency diminishing, many migrants are reconsidering their options, leading to a notable rise in southward movement. As regional authorities adjust to these changes, support programs for returning migrants are being explored amidst ongoing challenges.

Original Source: www.latintimes.com