Bad News for Republicans: Trump Fixed the Border
Migration through Panama's Darién Gap fell 97 percent. Now 7 percent of voters most want candidates to talk about immigration.
In the past few months, a significant decrease in irregular migration through the Darién Gap has puzzled both Democrats and Republicans. Last November, Uncommon Knowledge predicted that American intervention in Venezuela could lead to a new refugee crisis, but this did not materialize. Instead, the most striking fact about migration in the Americas this year is that the previous caravans have vanished.
From January to April, only 135 migrants were recorded making irregular transits through Panama's Darién Gap, a 95% decrease from the same period in 2025. Honduras also saw a 79% reduction in migrant activity. By June, the International Organization for Migration concluded that movement through the Darién had dropped to 97% lower than in the first half of 2024.
This development has raised questions about the effectiveness of President Donald Trump's administration in deterring migration. Supporters of Trump argue that the border was once open, and his administration's subsequent measures, such as eliminating CBP One appointments and restricting asylum access, have effectively deterred migrants.
However, critics point out the humanitarian costs and aggressive enforcement measures in the United States, questioning the true impact of deterrence. Despite the drop in migration, Gallup's polls show a decrease in support for reduced immigration and enforcement measures. This suggests that as Republicans witness their party's enforcement actions and the decline in illegal immigration, some may have softened their demands.
The true essence of deterrence lies in the belief of migrants about the consequences of their actions, not just the physical barriers.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
