Thousands of illegal immigrants turn tail thanks to Donald Trump
Trump has turned the border crisis into a success story. Everyone knows it now.
Because thousands of illegal immigrants turned tail thanks to Donald Trump.
Border Security Success Drives Migration Shift
A new report showcases the impact of the Trump administration’s resolute border policies, with over 14,000 migrants, primarily Venezuelans, abandoning their trek to the U.S. and turning back south.
This “reverse flow” migration reflects a restored sense of order at the border, deterring illegal crossings and prioritizing national security.
The report, a joint effort by Colombia, Panama, and Costa Rica with U.N. support, notes a 97% drop in northward migration in 2025, with 46% of migrants citing policy changes, 49% unable to enter the U.S., 34% lacking resources, and 17% fearing detention or deportation.
“It’s time to go back — the American dream wasn’t like this,” one migrant lamented, per the report. Since 2017, roughly 8 million Venezuelans have fled their country’s economic and political chaos, but the administration’s firm stance has reshaped their journey.
Record-Breaking Border Control Achievements
The Trump administration’s commitment to securing the border has yielded historic results, particularly in the Darién Gap, where crossings peaked at over half a million in 2023 but have nearly vanished by early 2025.
This success stems from President Trump’s fulfilled promise to close the border, bolstered by Panama’s stricter transit rules and reduced U.S. funding for NGOs, redirecting resources to American priorities.
U.S. Border Patrol data reflects this triumph, with a record low of 4,399 apprehensions in July and zero releases for three consecutive months, a sharp contrast to the Biden era’s chaotic highs of 8,000–10,000 daily apprehensions and a peak of 249,785 in December 2023. These measures have effectively dismantled the once-thriving illegal migration pipeline.
Humanitarian Challenges for Returning Migrants
As migrants reverse course, many face dire circumstances, with 50% of those interviewed in Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia planning to return to Venezuela and 25% aiming for Colombia, once a migration hub.
Others remain uncertain, stranded in cities like Palenque, Necoclí, or Medellín, resorting to informal work, begging, or transactional s-x to survive. The report highlights risks like unsafe boat journeys and exploitation by criminal groups.
“We don’t know whether to stay in Colombia or go to Chile. I worry a lot about my children; they’re tired of moving so much,” one migrant shared.
Another reflected, “Imagine, I’m back in the same place I left many years ago chasing a dream. Now I don’t know what to do.”
Scott Campbell, a U.N. representative in Colombia, noted, “Most of these people are already victims of human rights abuses,” urging regional governments to support returnees to prevent exploitation by trafficking networks.
