Panama said on Tuesday that it's working to formalize a route long used to smuggle migrants on the way to the United States, which is now being increasingly used to return migrants to South America in a reverse flow triggered by the Trump gov't.

A boat carrying 19 migrants, part of a “reverse flow” of migrants who once hoped to reach the United States, capsized off Caribbean coast of Panama

A boat carrying 19 South American migrants blocked from entering the US sank off the coast of Panama as they returned to their home countries.

San Diego will soon be connected to Panama City, Panama with direct flights from Copa Airlines, starting June 25.

Copa Airlines has an extensive network in the US and flies to more than 15 destinations in the country from its primary hub in Panama City. According to Cirium, an aviation analytics company, there are more than 900 flights from Panama City to the various destinations in the US in February.

Copa Airlines will operate new nonstop flights between San Diego International Airport and Tocumen International Airport in Panama on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays beginning June 25.