Around 520,000 people crossed the treacherous Darién Gap in 2023, many on their way to the US. Another 174,000 people used the corridor this year.
The US government has announced plans to restrict illegal immigration, with President Joe Biden signing a proclamation temporarily limiting entry for non-US citizens who enter through the southwest border illegally.
The move comes as illegal immigration has become a highly politicized issue in the US, with Republican leaders accusing the Biden administration of neglecting border security.
Despite the crackdown, Biden’s campaign has highlighted a 40% drop in border officials’ encounters with migrants over a seven-day period.
Analysts warn that overly aggressive deportation programs could harm the US economy, which has benefited from immigrant labor in relieving a labor shortage.