The United States recently deported 104 Indian migrants as part of its ongoing crackdown on illegal immigration under President Donald Trump. According to an Associated Press report, Trump also discussed this issue with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a telephone conversation.
Migrants attempting to enter the U.S. illegally must navigate treacherous routes, crossing multiple countries and passing through the infamous Darien Gap, a dense rainforest that separates Colombia and Panama.
What Is the Darien Gap?
Spanning 97 km, the Darien Gap is a rugged terrain of mountains, swamps, and thick jungle. It is the only break in the Pan-American Highway, which otherwise stretches from Alaska to Argentina.
Due to its harsh climate, lack of infrastructure, and extreme conditions, people have historically avoided the region. However, it has now become a key passage for desperate migrants attempting to reach the U.S. through the so-called Donkey Route.
While traversing the jungle, migrants face numerous dangers, including rapid rivers, steep mountains, muddy swamps, and predatory wildlife such as venomous snakes and jaguars. The greatest threat, however, comes from criminal organizations that control the route.
Migrants Face Exploitation
Drug cartels, armed groups, and smuggling networks dominate the Darien Gap, demanding payments from migrants, robbing them, and subjecting them to violence.
Speaking to CNN News18, vlogger Aditya Tiwari, who resides in Salt Lake City, Utah, explained that migrants are offered Donkey Route packages ranging from Rs. 15-20 lakh to Rs. 70-80 lakh.
“In Rs. 15-20 lakh, the migrants are taken through jungles in Panama, and in Rs. 70-80 lakh, people are flown from Azerbaijan or Argentina,” he said.
Aditya, who creates videos to raise awareness about the risks of illegal immigration, cautioned that most migrants get arrested at the border and then apply for political asylum. “The motels, gas stations, and Gurudwaras are being raided these days to find illegal migrants,” he added.
He also stressed that illegal migrants struggle to secure white-collar jobs and often end up working in labor-intensive roles.
Rising Migrant Crossings and Deaths in the Darien Gap
The number of people attempting to cross the Darien Gap has surged in recent years. In 2023, over 5.2 lakh migrants navigated the treacherous route, and by 2024, more than 3 lakh had already crossed.
The journey, which can last anywhere from 7 to 15 days, exposes migrants to severe hardships, including food and water shortages, rampant crime, and disease. Many do not survive the ordeal.
Between 2015 and 2022, 312 migrant deaths or disappearances were reported in the Darien Gap. Additionally, between 2021 and 2023, 229 deaths were recorded.
