By Isha - Feb 20, 2025
Panama serves as a temporary refuge for over 300 deported migrants from the United States, including individuals from China, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Panamanian authorities, with international support, are providing shelter to the migrants, some of whom express safety concerns about returning to their home countries. As part of the response, some migrants have been transferred to a temporary camp in the remote Darien province, while efforts are made to find alternative solutions, including potential asylum requests in Panama or other countries.
Deportation cause tension via thepiratescove.us
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In recent weeks, Panama has become a temporary refuge for nearly 300 migrants deported from the United States. These individuals, hailing from countries such as China, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, were transported to Panama City under an agreement between the U.S. and Panamanian governments. Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has stated that the migrants will remain in temporary facilities until suitable solutions are found.
On February 14, 2025, a U.S. Air Force plane arrived in Panama City, carrying 119 migrants of various nationalities. This flight was part of a broader initiative to deport approximately 360 individuals from the U.S., facilitated by Panama serving as a transit point. The Panamanian government, in collaboration with international organizations, has been providing temporary shelter and basic necessities to these migrants.
As of February 20, 2025, the number of deported migrants in Panama has risen to nearly 300. While 171 individuals have voluntarily agreed to return to their countries of origin, approximately 40% are unwilling to do so, citing fears for their safety. Some have displayed signs in their hotel windows with messages like "Help us" and "We are not safe in our country," pleading for assistance from the international community.
In response to the refusal of some migrants to return home, Panamanian authorities have transferred 97 individuals to a camp in the remote Darien province. This area, known for its dense jungle, serves as a temporary holding facility while officials explore alternative solutions, including seeking third countries willing to accept these migrants. The U.S. government, through agencies like the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), is funding these operations. Panamanian lawyer María Isabel Saravia, representing a Muslim family that moved to the Darien camp, is seeking legal access to her clients and plans to request asylum for them in Panama or another safe country.
