The number of Central American immigrants detained while trying to illegally cross the southern border decreased by 348,970 in the first nine months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, according to data from the Customs and Border Protection Agency. This means that the number of Cubans, Mexicans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, Hondurans, Salvadorans and Guatemalans plummeted by 25% compared to the previous year. Despite this, there was a 16.6% increase in arrests of illegal Central Americans in Mexico near the border with the United States.
According to official data, there were 1,041,273 encounters with asylum seekers of these nationalities between January and September of this year, compared to the 1,548,022 reported in the same period of 2022. The Migration Policy, Registration and Identity of Persons Unit of Mexico, however, reported an increase of 22,262 illegal immigrants detained near the U.S. border.
Mexicans accounted for more than half of the detainees. 543,318 people from Mexico attempted to cross the border illegally. They are followed by Guatemalans (176,207) and Hondurans (173,167).
The Biden administration will send immigration officials to Panama to manage illegal immigrants
The drop in arrivals of Central American immigrants contrasts with the record explosion of immigrants detained while crossing the southern border. CBS reported that the Biden administration is considering sending a group of immigration officials to Panama to work with local authorities to monitor and deport illegal migrants on their way to the United States, especially via the Darién jungle on the border with Colombia.
According to an official who agreed to anonymously speak with the television network, "The goal of the program is to provide technical assistance and other capacity building so that they can basically create a more robust program to repatriate migrants who do not establish a legal basis to remain in Panama."
So far this year, more than 450,000 immigrants have crossed the jungle on foot. Half of them were women and children. Panamanian officials claim this is the highest number to date.
