Sharp Decline in Dangerous Jungle Crossings Celebrated by White House

Trump Immigration Policy, Illegal migrant crossings at the infamous Darien Gap have plummeted to record lows in 2025 under President Trump’s strict border enforcement policies. Once a deadly thoroughfare for desperate travelers, the jungle route has now ground to a near standstill.

Panamanian authorities reported fewer than 3,000 migrants attempted the crossing in 2025—a staggering drop from over 520,000 in 2023. This dramatic shift has prompted praise from the White House, calling the achievement a landmark in U.S. border control.

Darien Gap: Once a Migrant Superhighway, Now Almost Abandoned

The Darien Gap, an unforgiving stretch of rainforest linking Colombia and Panama, was once considered the most dangerous route in the Western Hemisphere for migrants. Dense jungle, raging rivers, venomous wildlife, and criminal gangs made the trek a deadly gamble.

In 2023 alone, more than half a million migrants took this route. By 2024, that number dropped to 300,000. But in June 2025, only 10 migrants crossed through the area—a decrease that’s both astonishing and historic.

According to U.S. officials, this shift isn’t coincidental. It’s the result of a deliberate immigration crackdown aimed at restoring law and order at the border.

Trump Administration: Border Security Success Is Spreading Globally

“Word of the United States’ secure border has spread so far around the world,” said White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson, “that migrants aren’t even willing to make the dangerous journey because they know they’ll be turned away.”

This message has echoed from the U.S. southern border all the way to South America. Jackson emphasized that in the past two months, Border Patrol released zero illegal aliens into the country—an unprecedented milestone.

Transition words like “as a result,” “furthermore,” and “in fact” are frequently used in the administration’s messaging to reinforce progress.

Bajo Chiquito Village Feels Economic Fallout from Border Enforcement

While the U.S. celebrates fewer illegal crossings, the economic impact on local communities like Bajo Chiquito, Panama, is profound. This indigenous village of 400 once served as the first checkpoint after the perilous journey through the jungle.

Now, it’s a ghost town. Local vendors like Jason Mosquera say their daily customer base has collapsed.

“On a normal day I served 100 people,” Mosquera said. “Now I only see six to ten.”

For villagers, the return to peace comes with a price. The stream of income from migrants is gone, forcing residents to adapt quickly to the changing times.

Children Play Again in the Streets: A Return to Normalcy

Village leaders like Esmeralda Dumasá see a silver lining. “The town is returning to normalcy,” she said. With fewer migrant flows, children once again play in the streets without fear. Crime has declined. Life is quieter.

The change represents more than an economic shift—it’s a cultural restoration. For many, the reduction in transient traffic is a relief after years of chaos.

CBP Data Shows Historic Lows in U.S. Border Crossings

This success is mirrored by statistics from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. June 2025 recorded the lowest number of border crossings ever at the U.S.-Mexico line—just 6,072 for the month.

Under the Biden administration, that same figure often represented a single day’s worth of crossings. In June 2024 alone, CBP released nearly 28,000 migrants into the U.S.

That’s a stark contrast to today, where no illegal entrants are being released.

Political Leaders Applaud the Progress

Vice President JD Vance didn’t hold back. “Border crossings at their lowest levels in history last week and NPR defunded. Two big wins!” he posted on social media Thursday.

The message is clear: the Trump administration is delivering on its promise to secure the border and prioritize national sovereignty.

Harsh Terrain No Longer a Gateway to the U.S.

The Darien Gap is the only impassable stretch along the Pan-American Highway, which spans from Alaska to Argentina. For years, it acted as a bottleneck where human smugglers and desperate migrants gathered.

With policies now discouraging illegal entry and with effective messaging, the flow through this deadly path has all but dried up. It no longer functions as a gateway to the U.S.

Conclusion: Border Enforcement Drives Results

In summary, Trump’s firm stance on immigration has yielded measurable and historic results. The Darien Gap, once a deathtrap for thousands, is no longer a busy passage. Fewer lives are at risk. Border agents aren’t overwhelmed. And local communities are reclaiming peace.

This stunning shift underscores a broader theme: enforcement works.

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