Unprecedented Migration Through Central America

Written by Jose Aguilar | October 1, 2023

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This year, Central America has had a 500% increase in migration compared to the first half of 2022. A significant number of migrants have embarked on a journey that has forced them to cross the dangers of the Darien jungle in Colombia. Migrants take this risk so they can make their way through Central America and Mexico and get to the Southern border of the United States. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) of the United Nations (UN) has stated that Central American countries have limited resources to deal with this situation, this office of the UN calls for collaboration to meet the humanitarian needs of migrants.

The Department of State supports initiatives like the Central America Donors Forum (CADF); they state that the private sector, civil society, and the government work together towards economic development in the region. This is an important step in improving the conditions of Central America. Still, it is also important to understand how migrants crossing through Central America are coming from different nations and continents. According to the UN, in order to address migration, it is imperative to address the root causes which the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, food insecurity, and structural inequalities have exacerbated. The United States has often treated migrants coming from Central America as economic migrants, focusing efforts on detention and deportation rather than providing protection and support. Therefore, it is imperative to reevaluate the policy and practice approach toward immigration by the United States. The international community needs to collaborate to address the humanitarian crisis in Central America and the Caribbean.