The True Cost Of Illegal Migration - The Darien Gap
Currently, the Darien gap is one of the most treacherous parts of the unofficial highway for over 300,000 migrants a year, most of them on their way to the USA.
Here in my little home country Panama, on the southern border, we have one of the most beautiful and dangerous landscapes on earth, the Darien Jungle. This area is known to most as the "Darien Gap" or "El Tapon del Darien." Currently, the Darien gap is one of the most treacherous parts of the unofficial highway for over 300,000 migrants a year, most of them on their way to the USA.
I wanted to share this video as I think it illustrates the reality of what is paid as a migrant trying to arrive in new lands. That currency is nothing but misery.
This is not black and white, legal or illegal. For many US citizens, this is just considered to be illegal when these people are at the US border. It's easy to think, sure, let them remain south of the border. Others want open doors and, by the same token, let the whole world burn down while they enjoy virtue signaling.
There is also a human element that cannot be ignored, and there is a real necessity that goes above the law. This is not a partisan issue, nor is it relegated to one country or one particular border. This is an issue of humanity.
The countries in the middle of this highway send buses of migrants from one border to the next. Essentially, each government is passing them on to the next country, saying, "Not my problem anymore." I am not judging them entirely, as they have a point. If one country takes the leadership to stop the crossing, they also need the resources to support the migrants. The problem is up North, and if we keep these migrants on our border, then we create a major problem for our nation.
We need to help people on the basis that they are humans in need, and at the same time, we need to realize that not all of the ones that claim to need help are really in need of moving to the USA. After all, is that the only nation that can provide good standards of living? Good politics and leadership are needed to achieve real solutions. Countries are lacking in both, and countries reflect their people, you and me.
No doubt, migration is a necessity for many that are oppressed around the world by different regimes. Still, a huge percentage of the current migration flood in the Darien Gap is due to hope for economic gain, not war or oppression.
When the price is so tainted with blood and misery, and you are left with no option but to leave your country, you are also obligated as a family man to consider if this is the best you can do for your family.
WARNING: The actual footage from minute 1:40 to minute 5:30 is very raw, but it illustrates the reality of most of these migrants taking this path. At the same time, it falls short of many other equally horrible realities.
Full video (Migrant footage from minute 1:40-5:30) Ben Bergquam / Oscar Blue / Chuck Holton
Some context
Between January and February, close to 10,000 children crossed the Darien Gap, which is about 700% more than the previous year. The estimated number of total migrants for the end of 2023 is about 400,000 people. This is a significant increase compared to the previous year's total of around 250,000 people.
Some of the countries these migrants come from are other South American countries like Venezuela and the Caribbean region like Haiti and Cuba. Currently, there is a huge increase in Chinese migrants completing this crossing. While these comprise many of the migrants, there are many other nations represented as well.
Some Personal Context
When I first heard about the migrants coming through the Darien Gap, I had just come from a trip to Kurdistan, Iraq. There I met many migrants that were moved from one location to another due to war. To my surprise, some of those migrants were doing this crossing, but back then, 10,000 a year was a big number, and now that is just the number of children passing through in two months.
I have visited some of the camps on the Darien border of Panama, where these migrants arrive after the cruel crossing. I have spoken with them, prayed with them, fed their children, and talked with women who were raped and people who were robbed. It is heartbreaking.
Two Migrant Families I Met
Let me tell you about two families I met that, for the most part, illustrated most of the reasons that migrants choose to do this crossing.
The first one is Mr. P. He had escaped from Iran because while he was playing volleyball, he met a friend who talked to him about Jesus. Fast forward some months, and he found his new faith was the reason why the pastor of his church had been killed along with most of his church group. Knowing he was on the list, he flew to another area in the Gulf States, and then left for South America, where his younger brothers joined him. He lived in South America illegally until he could no longer stay and then kept going north.
The second story is about two Syrian brothers who were tired of living in a bomb landing zone. They did not want to fight for the Assad regime or end up blown to pieces, so they left their country and went to Europe. Remember that Assad was the maniac president that poisoned the country with bioweapons and led the country to misery after misery. They just wanted a better life. After no longer being able to stay in Germany, they planned the Darien crossing and were finally able to do it.
Both cases were able to make it to the USA. As far as I know, the brothers now live and work there. However, the Iranian family was detained in Central America, being shown in the newspapers internationally as potential "Iranian Terrorists." They later made it to a camp in the USA where last I heard; they were trying to connect with someone to help them get established.
Not An Easy Call and Political Pawns
Make no mistake. If you were to find yourself in the shoes of some of these migrants, you likely would choose to provide a better life for your family as well, even at the expense of misery.
But here is the BIG picture, there are plenty of other possibilities at a lower cost for "some" of these migrants, and liberal media are selling them that doing this crossing is a good option for them with complete disregard for the price they need to pay.
A Better Tomorrow
Migrants are the backbone of nations since there was no original nation, and many native people have moved in history from one location to another due to geo-political events, misery, and dreams of a better tomorrow for their families.
Some of these migrant families have been the creators of incredible wealth once they settle in a new land and are able to spread their wings.
You do not need to sell that the United States Of America enjoys a reasonably stable democracy and economy. But so do many other places around the world, and some of those have less competition and better opportunities (at least legal transition). If, after that, you want to keep pursuing your American Dream, then do so, but legally and not putting your kids in unnecessary pain. How many people do you think the USA can host before breaking itself?
Let me put this in other words. Run away from danger, and when safe, make a stronghold for you and yours. But if you keep going just for the sake of better economic gain when you could already make a living and be safe elsewhere, it is not a good call if the price is the possible permanent damage or loss of life.
Remember to comment with your opinion and 👍 or 👎 if you would like more articles like this.
Javier Feliú
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Until the next one,
Javier
