reported a significant increase in migrants arriving in the country, with many coming from Haiti.
Mr. Mulino’s election on a platform that includes closing the Darién Gap to migrants has raised concerns and implications for the Biden administration’s immigration policies. His firm stance on repatriating migrants and shutting down illegal migration routes could potentially clash with the current administration’s approach to open borders.
Despite this, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Mr. Mulino on his victory and emphasized the shared goal of controlling migration between the two countries.
Mr. Mulino’s unexpected victory in the presidential election comes with challenges such as managing a struggling economy, addressing environmental issues, and overseeing a major copper mine shutdown. As he prepares to take office on July 1, his promise to tackle the migrant flow through the Darién Gap puts him in a position of power to control the influx of migrants through Panama.
However, the potential conflict between his policies and those of the Biden administration, particularly regarding illegal immigration, could lead to diplomatic tensions and awkward situations. The situation mirrors the ongoing disputes between the administration and Texas over border security and immigration enforcement measures.
The Darién Gap remains a critical point in the migration route, and Mr. Mulino’s presidency will play a crucial role in determining the future of migrant flows through Panama’s treacherous terrain.
With his background in security and previous experience in handling similar challenges, Mr. Mulino faces a daunting task ahead as he navigates the complex issues of migration, border security, and economic stability in Panama.
Educating and assisting migrants in their home countries instead of facilitating mass migration should be a priority. The Epoch Times visited migrant camps in the Darién Gap, where migrants from various countries were provided with detailed maps and information on migration routes to the United States. Organizations like HIAS, originally founded to aid Jewish immigrants, now assist all migrants.
Left-wing groups view helping migrants on their journey as a humanitarian effort, but organizations like Human Rights Watch express concerns about safety and human rights violations during the journey. Former Border Patrol chief Rodney Scott believes that facilitating mass migration leads to negative consequences like death, rape, and human trafficking. He advocates for closing the Darién Gap to deter illegal migration.
NGOs in Panama, funded by U.S. tax dollars, have built a significant infrastructure to aid migrants. Shutting down these operations may be challenging given their political influence. Redirecting funds to support mass deportation efforts could be a solution, according to experts. The use of illegal immigration as a weapon to destabilize the United States is a concern, with different outcomes under past and present administrations. However, he noted that Biden’s team was solely focused on expediting the processing of illegal immigrants before releasing them.
Texas National Guard look on as illegal immigrants board a bus after surrendering to Border Patrol agents on the U.S.–Mexico border in El Paso, Texas, on May 12, 2023. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
“We explained to them that you’re literally pulling your finger out of the dike. We warned them all this was going to happen,” he said.
“Every one of those conversations got shut down in seconds anytime we talked about protecting America.”
During a May 7 visit to Guatemala, Mr. Blinken discussed the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, which was signed by the United States and Latin American countries in 2022 to “create the conditions for safe, orderly, humane, and regular migration and to strengthen frameworks for international protection and cooperation.”
“Since then, together, we have partnered to transform our hemisphere’s approach to this truly historic challenge,” Mr. Blinken said during a speech.
“We’ve taken meaningful steps to expand lawful migration pathways as an alternative to irregular migration, to improve enforcement efforts, to support host communities, to strengthen protections for vulnerable populations.”
Meanwhile, on May 8, the Republican-led House passed The Equal Representation Act along party lines that would require the Census to include a checkbox to indicate whether the respondent and each household member is a U.S. citizen.
President Trump signed an executive order for the 2020 Census to include only American citizens, but it was blocked after left-wing civil rights groups sued, arguing the order violated the Census Act, the Enumeration Clause, and the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.
Counting noncitizens skews the representative form of government, Mr. Scott said.
“Only Americans should be determining the future of America,” he said.
Epoch Times reporter Janice Hisle and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
