Costa Rica and Panama are coordinating efforts to facilitate the transit of migrants heading southward, reversing a trend of northward migration caused by U.S. immigration policy changes. This collaboration aims to protect returning migrants from trafficking while offering more organized transit options. In addition, the two countries are addressing the needs of individuals deported from the U.S., amid concerns over their conditions.
Costa Rica and Panama are collaborating to facilitate the transit of southbound migrants through their territories, reversing the flow that previously saw countless individuals heading northward. This coordination follows the implications of U.S. immigration policy changes under President Trump, which have kept the southern U.S. border largely closed to asylum seekers since he assumed office in January.
Officials met in Peñas Blancas, a border post between Nicaragua and Costa Rica, to organize transportation for migrants aiming to return to their home countries of Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador. The Costa Rican Security Minister, Mario Zamora, emphasized the need to safeguard migrants from human trafficking by managing their transit in an organized manner.
Last week, migrants began a journey by boat from a Panamanian port towards the Panama-Colombia border, enabling them to bypass the perilous land route through the Darien Gap. A Venezuelan migrant, Bárbara Somayor, expressed her preference for air travel instead of boats, citing the risks involved.
The current reverse migration coincides with an agreement between Panama and Costa Rica to accommodate several hundred migrants deported from the United States, mainly from Asian countries. While some deported individuals opt to return to their home countries, others remain detained as authorities cooperate with humanitarian organizations to determine their next steps.
Concerns have been raised regarding the harsh conditions faced by those held in a camp in Panama’s Darien province, which previously housed northbound arrivals. A group of attorneys has petitioned the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights for protective measures, advocating for the rights of detained migrants, who report a lack of information and access to legal assistance.
In summary, Costa Rica and Panama are proactively managing the unprecedented shift of migrants heading southward due to U.S. immigration policy changes. Their joint efforts aim to provide safe and organized transit while protecting migrants from exploitation. There is also an ongoing initiative to address the needs and rights of those deported from the U.S., underlining the complex humanitarian challenges both nations face.
Original Source: apnews.com
