Panama’s infamous Darien Gap, once a perilous route for tens of thousands of migrants heading to the U.S., including dangerous criminals, is now nearly deserted due to President Donald Trump’s strict immigration policies and Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino’s commitment to closing this hazardous path.
Migrant crossings in the secluded 2,600-mile jungle path linking Colombia to Panama—previously known for presenting dangers such as sexual abuse, trafficking, and exploitation to migrants, especially children and vulnerable individuals—have decreased dramatically to just 10 in June, as reported by both the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Panama’s National Migration Service.
This represents an astonishing 99.98% decrease from the route’s peak during the Biden administration in August 2023, when over 82,000 migrants traversed the gap in just one month, according to DHS data.
This significant reduction comes after several months of collaborative enforcement actions, featuring Trump’s extensive deportation initiatives and Mulino’s efforts to block the route with heightened immigration control.
Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino, center, looks on during a meeting in Panama City on April 9, 2025. (FRANCO BRANA/AFP)
The DHS has also warned undocumented immigrants currently living in the U.S. to voluntarily leave using the CBP Home App, which provides financial incentives for self-deportation.
“With the most secure border in American history, DHS is committed to deporting those who violate our nation’s laws,” the agency stated on Thursday. “If you are here illegally, utilize the CBP Home App to manage your departure and receive monetary assistance to go back home. Illegal immigrants who use the CBP Home App for self-deportation also get complimentary travel and a $1,000 exit bonus, which is given after their return is verified via the app.”
