A recent report reveals a dramatic increase in migrants from Afghanistan, China, and Iran traversing the Darien Gap, a perilous jungle region connecting Panama and Colombia. This surge has sparked concerns, particularly given the geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China, and prior security incidents involving Afghan nationals in the United States.

The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) analyzed migration patterns through the Darien Gap, comparing data from 2010-2020 to 2021-2024. The findings show an alarming rise in crossings from specific nations. For instance, Afghan migrants increased by over 8,000%, from 98 to 8,294. Similarly, Chinese crossings skyrocketed from 299 to nearly 40,000. Iran and Syria also saw significant increases, with crossings rising from 14 to 935 and 28 to 762, respectively.

This overall surge in migration through the Darien Gap, from approximately 116,000 between 2010 and 2020 to over 1.18 million between 2021 and 2024, has raised alarms. Past incidents, such as a foiled terror plot by an Afghan national paroled into the U.S., fuel these anxieties. Furthermore, concerns about potential espionage and cyberattacks by Chinese nationals linked to the CCP add another layer of complexity.

The report attributes this crisis to U.S. "open border policies," which it claims incentivize migrants worldwide to undertake the arduous and dangerous journey to America. The perceived ease of entering the U.S. acts as a powerful draw, encouraging migrants to risk the perilous crossing.

The report highlights that between 2021 and 2024, at least 760,000 individuals from "special interest" countries, including those with potential ties to terrorist organizations, were encountered in the Darien Gap. More than half of these individuals were adult men. While the top nationalities crossing in 2024 were Venezuelans, Colombians, Ecuadorians, Chinese, and Haitians, the overall numbers have decreased from a peak of over 520,000 in 2023 to 286,000 in 2024. This decline coincides with Panama's new president, elected in May 2024, who campaigned on curbing illegal migration and subsequently signed an accord with the U.S. to facilitate repatriations.

Despite U.S. assistance in repatriation efforts, FAIR contends that a lasting solution must address the root cause of the crisis: American immigration policies. Until these policies are reformed, the report argues, the dangerous trek through the Darien Gap will continue.