US President Donald Trump’s hardline anti-immigration policies have led to an unexpected and dramatic reversal in migration patterns across the Americas, with a growing number of migrants who had previously reached Mexico now heading back south. This shift marks a striking turn in the migratory flow that has dominated the hemisphere in recent years. Rather than continuing their journeys towards the United States, many are now retracing their steps, forced to confront the perilous Darien Gap between Colombia and Panama once again, and ultimately return to the autocratic states they had fled.

In Capurganá, a remote town on the border between Panama and Colombia, Al Jazeera investigates this unprecedented reverse migration. The majority of those making this difficult journey are Venezuelans, many of whom lack valid passports, and they are now relying on boats provided by private companies to navigate the treacherous waters of the Caribbean. As they set sail through rough seas, they face an uncertain future, having been displaced by political turmoil and economic collapse in their home country.

The most recent shift in US immigration policy further exacerbates the situation. Under the Trump administration, over half a million migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela who had entered the United States through a Biden-era sponsorship programme have been ordered to leave by April 24, 2025. While this measure has been temporarily halted by the courts, its impact has already been felt, as migrants are now forced to reconsider their already precarious positions, seeking alternatives as they face the threat of deportation.

This reverse migration, catalysed by US policies and compounded by the ever-present risks of the journey, has cast a long shadow over the futures of those caught in its path. As they return to their countries of origin, they face not only the dangers of the journey but also the harsh realities of the oppressive regimes they sought to escape. The shifting dynamics of migration in the Americas are set to reshape the region in profound and unpredictable ways, with lasting consequences for the lives of millions.

Agencies.