New Delhi: With Donald Trump coming to power, there is news about deporting illegal immigrants from the US to different parts of the world. Recently, an American plane carrying 104 illegal immigrants reached Amritsar Airport.
People from different countries illegally journey to the US through dangerous crossings. This also involves crossing multiple countries and passing through the ‘dangerous Darien Gap’ between Colombia and Panama. These illegal immigrants face many challenges, not just on the Darien Gap route but also through multiple crossing points that lead to the USA.
In this article, we will examine the challenges of illegal immigrants using different crossing points to enter the US.
What is the Darien Gap?
Before looking out for the challenges, let us understand what Darien Gap is and its location.
The Darien Gap is an area that connects North and South America, located in southern Panama and northern Colombia. This region is known for its dense rainforest, mountains, and difficult terrain. It is one of the most isolated places in the world. Although the Darien Gap is hard to navigate, it has been an important route for people and wildlife throughout history.
Geographically, the Darien Gap is diverse. The Colombian side has a wide delta from the Atrato River, creating a flat marshland. In contrast, the Panamanian side features a mountainous rainforest with elevations ranging from 60 m to 1,845 m, the height of Cerro Tacarcuna.
Indigenous groups, including the Embera-Wounaan and Guna peoples, mostly inhabit the Darien Gap. In 1995, about 8,000 people lived in five tribes. The main settlement is La Palma, with around 4,200 residents. Other towns include Yaviza and El Real on the Panamanian side.
The Darien Gap is largely undeveloped because of its remote location and tough living conditions. Most jobs here involve small-scale farming, cattle ranching, and logging. The Pan-American Highway stops at Yaviza, Panama, and starts again at Turbo, Colombia, about 106 km away. People usually travel through the Gap by small boats or traditional watercraft like pirogues.
Since the 2010s, the Darien Gap has become a major migration route. Hundreds of thousands of migrants, mainly from Haiti and Venezuela, cross this area to reach the Mexico-United States border. In 2022, there were 250,000 crossings, up from 24,000 in 2019. By 2023, over 520,000 migrants passed through, more than double the previous year’s total.
The Darien Gap is a severe humanitarian crisis. From 2015 to 2022, there were 312 reported deaths or missing migrants. Additionally, between 2021 and 2023, 229 more migrants have died or disappeared.
Map of Darien Gap (Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Challenges faced while crossing Darien Gap
Crossing the Darién Gap is very challenging for migrants travelling between South and Central America. The journey involves difficult terrain with dense jungle, dangerous rivers, and perilous wildlife. There is also a lack of infrastructure and a high risk of violence from criminal groups. Migrants face extreme weather, limited access to food and water, and the potential for disease and injury. Additionally, there is a risk of sexual assault, making this journey highly dangerous.
Harsh Terrain and Extreme Weather Conditions
Migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers face many dangers when crossing the Darien Gap. This difficult route can take up to 14 days to complete, especially during the rainy season. One major risk is the tough terrain, which includes some of Panama’s tallest mountains.
The Darien Gap is also one of the wettest places in the world. Heavy rain can cause landslides, flash floods, and muddy ground. Travellers often have to cross several rivers, where the water can be waist-deep and full of strong currents. It is common for people to be swept away and drown.
Dangers of Water Crossings and Dehydration
Since they have no choice but to enter these dangerous and dirty waters, travellers risk getting water-borne and fungal illnesses. The temperatures can go over 35ºC (95ºF), and the lack of clean drinking water increases the danger of severe dehydration. After long days of walking, exhaustion can also set in quickly.
Health Risks: Diseases and Exhaustion
Those crossing can only take what they can carry, so many end up drinking river water, which can cause illnesses like diarrhoea and only worsen dehydration.
Threats from Wildlife: Snakes, Crocodiles and Mosquitoes
Wildlife in the Darien Gap adds to the dangers. Venomous snakes, crocodiles, and mosquitoes that spread diseases such as dengue fever and malaria live there.
Criminal Activities: Robbery, Human Trafficking, and Violence
Migrants crossing the Darien Gap face serious dangers. Their main concern is physical safety due to threats from smugglers and criminal groups.
Robbery and human trafficking are common in the jungle. Many migrants become victims of extortion and may pay several ‘guides’ hundreds of dollars each for help. Without cellphone service, these guides and fellow travellers become the only sources of support once migrants enter the Darien Gap.
Sexual Assault and Exploitation of Migrants
Rape and sexual assault occur frequently. In December 2023, Doctors Without Borders estimated that someone was sexually assaulted every 3.5 hours during the crossing. Many of these attacks happen in front of family members as a way to punish them for not paying traffickers. There have also been reports of mass sexual violence involving over 100 victims at once.
Many cases go unreported because travellers feel threatened or must hurry to complete their journey.
The Role of Smugglers and Guides
Crossing the Darien Gap alone is too dangerous due to numerous illegal groups operating there. Travelling alone likely leads to danger from criminal organisations demanding safe passage payment.
The Absence of Law Enforcement and Protection
Migrants often bring few belongings and money, sometimes hiding in their clothing. However, armed groups can seize these items. The region has no police force and lacks roads, making it hard to control illegal activities and protect migrants.
There is a significant rise in illegal immigrants through the Darien Gap (Photo credit: PTI/AP)
Perilous Paths: Other Dangerous Migration Routes to the US
While Darien Gap is just one step when it comes to facing challenges, there are other crossing points where illegal immigrants also face challenges. There is a risk of death while crossing these borders.
The US-Canada Border
Every day, people from around the world cross the Canada-US border. Some enter Canada and the US legally, while others do so without proper permission.
A report from The Conversation found that 15 people died at the Canada-US border between 2020 and 2023, with another 23 deaths reported from 1989 to 2020. The actual number is likely higher since official records are lacking.
Migrants face many dangers when crossing the Canada-US border illegally. Drowning is the biggest threat, causing 23 of the 38 recorded deaths. Hypothermia is the second most common cause, with six deaths.
Three people died in confrontations with border patrol agents—two were shot on the US side, and one died in a car crash while being pursued by Canadian agents.
The US-Mexico Border
Deaths along the US-Mexico border are tracked and reported. By August 2024, at least 5,000 people had died or gone missing along the border.
Challenges on the US-Mexico Border
- Extreme heat: Migrants face very hot weather.
- Dehydration: They can run out of water and become dehydrated.
- Hyperthermia: Heat strokes and other illnesses can occur in the heat.
- Starvation: Access to food may be limited.
- Drowning: Migrants can drown in rivers like the Rio Grande, which can be fast and dangerous. They may also drown in canals while trying to cross the border.
This article examines the perilous journey of illegal immigrants to the US, focusing on the harrowing challenges of crossing the Darien Gap. The Darien Gap, a treacherous jungle region between Panama and Colombia, presents dangers, including harsh terrain, extreme weather, disease, wildlife threats, and criminal activity. The article also touches upon the risks associated with other illegal border crossings into the US, highlighting the dire humanitarian crisis facing migrants. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
