By Henry Esquivel

NECOCLI, Colombia (Reuters) – Many Haitian migrants heading north through Colombia are weighing whether to continue their journey to the United States, after more than a thousand were deported from the U.S.-Mexico border this past week.

Nearly 16,000 migrants have been left in Necocli on the Colombian coast. They are waiting for their chance to travel by limited boat transportation towards Panama’s Darien Gap. There, they will be accompanied by smugglers through the dangerous area.

Necocli is home to thousands of migrants each year. However, the COVID-19 border closings have been lifted this year, and the increased number of migrants has caused the city’s services and utilities to be overtaxed.

Reuters has heard from some migrants that they are weighing the best place to end their journey after U.S. deported 1400 Haitian nationals, who were gathered at camps on either side of U.S. Mexico border – returning to Caribbean nation since Sunday.

Gabriel, a Haitianmigrant who lives in Necocli, said: “Some people are fighters that are not willing to abandon their dreams.”

Gabriel did not identify his surname, but said those determined to assist their family back in Haiti may have to wait until Mexico is ready before they attempt entry to the United States.

“Everyone waits for the decision of the United States to decide if there is any calm and how people can move to complete the migration process.

U.S. Special Envoy to Haiti, who criticized Biden’s administration for deportations that were “inhumane” and counterproductive, resigned Thursday. Mexico, however, has called on Haitians in a push to ask asylum at its border with Guatemala.

Numerous migrants who have lived in Latin American countries such as Brazil and Chile for years before making the attempt to travel north may now be unable to get into the United States.

A Venezuelan migrant, who refused to give his name but claimed he was from Peru, said that what he wanted is for the United States to allow him through. “They will take our dreams away.”

Colombia and Panama reached an agreement last month that only 500 migrants would be permitted to cross the border each day. However, officials from the local government have been repeatedly asked to increase the limit, claiming it is not enough to deal with more than 1,500 migrants daily who come to town.

Many of the migrants are young and crowded hotels, while others sleep along the beaches waiting for boat tickets.

Their belongings are packed securely and covered with masking tape when it is their turn. It takes only one hour to cross the Gulf of Uraba.

Colombia’s Migration Authority spokesperson said that they are respectful of Panama’s Quota. Tickets for crossings by boat through October have been already sold.

On Thursday, Panama’s President Laurentino Cortizo stated to the United Nations General Assembly that more than 80,000 illegal migrants had traveled through Panama in this year. His country spends its budget on migrants’ care and he called for international help.

Some seemed to have given up on their dream of reaching America.

A Haitian immigrant said, “When I reach Mexico, I’m going there,” but he wouldn’t give his name. “I do not want to go into the United States.”