The newly elected president of Panama has promised to implement changes to help alleviate the United States border crisis.

President-elect Jose Raul Mulino vowed to shut down a migration gap through Panama that has been used by more than 500,000 migrants over the last year to gain access to the U.S.

“Panama and our Darien [Gap] are not a transit route. It is our border,” Mulino said.

Panama had previously helped bus migrants through the critical gap and allowed them to continue their journey into the country.

According to Fox News, the Darien Gap, although a dangerous route north toward the U.S., “has become a popular route among migrants in recent years, with cartels and other organized crime organizations stepping in to make it an affordable option for those seeking to reach the United States.”

Mulino claimed the new policy would make Panama a less attractive option for migrants and criminal organizations.

“Because when we start to deport people here in an immediate deportation plan, the interest for sneaking through Panama will decrease,” Mulino said. “I assure you they are going to say that going through Panama is not attractive because they are deporting you.”