Panama warns of the dangers of illegal immigration to the United States in 2022 – International

Panama’s President Laurentino Cortizo on Tuesday (19) warned of the dangers of illegal immigration to the United States, saying the country should have a regional “open dialogue” on the issue without delay as it conducts by-elections.

Cardiso stressed at the opening ceremony of the 25th Annual Conference of the CAF-Latin America Development Bank.

“If this issue is not resolved now, it will continue to affect us, but you have this political status as an ambassador. This problem could affect us within a year, especially in the United States,” Panamanian said.

After holding several high-ranking positions in the State Department and the White House, Shannon, who served as Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs from 2016 to 2018, nodded.

“His call for dialogue is very important and it will resonate, especially in Washington,” he commented.

Cortiso said the exodus of undocumented immigrants from Latin America and the Caribbean to the United States is a problem involving at least a dozen countries, so a regional solution is needed.

“These forums have very beautiful texts, but in the end there is no substitute for open dialogue,” he said.

The president confirmed that more than 100,000 undocumented immigrants have passed through Panama this year and that by the end of 2021 it will be estimated at a total of 150,000.

The Turin Forest, between Panama and Colombia, has become a crossroads for those trying to cross from South America across Central America and Mexico toward the United States, which Washington sees with concern.

According to Panamanian Defense Minister Juan Pino, about 107,000 people, mainly Haitians, have crossed this virgin forest, which is almost equal to the number that has accumulated over the past six years.

Analysts say the US will hold by-elections in November 2022, and the registration of illegal immigrants on its southern border will be a major blow to President Joe Biden’s Democrats.