Latin American immigrants have expressed regret over trying to illegally enter the United States under President Donald Trump’s watch, and many have looked back and expressed regret.
The US-Mexico border has become extraordinarily quiet in the past few weeks, with border patrols bent over to levels not experienced in decades. This decline was attributed to the “Trump effect,” with dramatically strengthened enforcement policies and Knicks of government services making it seem as though many illegal immigrants simply turn around and don’t mind entering the United States. (Related: “Sanctuary” city is making last ditch legal efforts to stay on federal grave trains after Trump’s fundraising freeze)
Cara Castillo, a 36-year-old Venezuelan national, says she left Chile, where she lived for several years, and was about to enter the United States. According to El Mostrador, a Chilean newspaper.
“My goal was to go to the US and take my kids, but they closed the border and we couldn’t do that,” Castillo said of her failed plans. “It’s time to go back to Venezuela and wait a little longer and then return to Chile again.”
Immigrants will arrive at the reception centre in Rajas Blancas, the Jungle province of Darien, Panama on June 28, 2024 (by Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty Images)
It’s unclear how she qualifies for asylum in the US, given that she has reportedly admitted to having a “great boss” working as a nanny in Chile and even a plan to return to the country.
“opportunity [to enter the U.S.] According to El Mostrador, Venezuelan John Orozco, who travels south after trying to cross the southern border, said: Venezuelan citizens lived and worked in Mexico for six months to raise bookings through the CBP One app, but the program was later cancelled by the Trump White House.
Like Castillo, Orozco also appears to be an economic immigrant, with few job opportunities in his native Venezuela, and now he aims at Chile as his next destination. He reportedly spent $900 on a southbound journey.
The majority of illegal immigrants who apply for asylum are ultimately rejected by immigration courts, indicating that most foreigners who wreaked havoc on the southern border are simply economic immigrants and not victims of targeted violence in their home countries. Homeland Security Bureau in February 2024 Recognised Approximately 80% of asylum seekers who reach the US will be denied and sent back.
Evidence of illegal immigration that gave a northbound journey to the US border can be seen in Darien Gap, a vast jungle region that spans Colombia and Panama, where South American immigrants and other foreigners intersect.
Over half a million migrants surpassed Darien during the height of the 2023 immigration crisis. The passing across Darien has since been well over 90%, with a total of 2,159 illegal immigration intersections in January 2025 compared to the 34,839 crossings in January 2025.
Panama resident Alan Beitel previously spoke to the Daily Carener News Foundation about the local situation. “So the carrots disappear and there’s no reason for them to head north.”
The drop-off at the intersection coincides with unprecedented efforts by the Trump administration to strengthen security, including deploying troops along the southern border and forcing the Mexican government to do the same. The president also resumed construction of the border wall and ended the CBP One app. This was popular among migrants who wanted to grade their asylum applications.
On February 7, 2025, Mexican military soldiers and National Guard officers will stand guards during inspection of vehicles heading to El Paso, USA, through Paso del Norte International Bridge in Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico.
The president also refunded brick-and-mortar buildings set up by the Biden administration, known as the Office of Secure Mobility, making it clear that immigrants would apply for asylum.
Much of the entire Darien activity consists of migrants turning and going back south. Smugglers are currently charging around $200 to $250 per immigrant, transporting them through Darien in the “reflux” phenomenon.
The reversed movement has led Central American governments to take more action.
Panamaans and Costa Rican authorities agreed to relocate migrants who returned south in February to shelters along the border and eventually return them to their country of origin via a US-provided aircraft. According to EFE, Spanish news agency. Central American officials hope that the southbound migration will pick up more in the coming days.
“We want to ensure an orderly, legal, humanitarian and safe flow of movement,” the Costa Rican minister said of the agreement. “This conference marks the beginning of coordination to ensure the return of immigrants to their country of origin, under appropriate conditions.”
According to the EFE, if the south move continues to move south, Panama officials have also confirmed that they are also considering the possibility of establishing a direct deportation flight between Panama and Venezuela. Such arrangements would further streamline the process by which illegal immigrants choose to return.
“We have no diplomatic ties with Venezuela, but the Panama Foreign Ministry actually tries to ensure that we provide appropriate contact information through the authorities and accept the people,” the Minister of Public Security said in a statement.
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