Panama serves as a holding ground for nearly 300 deported migrants
- Panama is currently detaining close to 300 deportees from the United States in a hotel.
- Many deportees are fearful of returning home due to safety concerns, with around 40% refusing to voluntarily return.
- The situation has raised legal and humanitarian concerns, calling into question Panama's role as a transit country.
In February 2025, Panama has taken in nearly 300 deportees from the United States. These individuals come from various countries including Iran, China, and Afghanistan and are currently being housed in a hotel, unable to leave while waiting for international authorities to arrange their return. The situation has caused distress, as many of the migrants have expressed fears for their safety if returned home, evident by messages displayed from their hotel windows. Approximately 40% of the deportees are unwilling to voluntarily return to their homeland. Authorities in Panama, under the direction of Security Minister Frank Abrego, indicate that the migrants are receiving essential food and medical assistance, adhering to a migration agreement established between Panama and the U.S. Furthermore, it's revealed that a significant number of these deportees may be temporarily relocated to a facility in the Darién province, while efforts are being made by U.N. agencies to find alternate destinations for those unwilling to return. The deportees face a precarious legal status as they remain confined without a court order, raising concerns about the legality of such detentions. Despite the government’s assurances regarding their conditions, images of these migrants pleading for help have sparked alarm among human rights observers. The underlying challenge remains that many of these individuals hail from countries reluctant to accept them back, placing Panama in a complicated position as a transit country. In response to the Trump administration's deportation efforts, Panama has become a critical intermediate step for individuals deemed removable from the U.S. The interactions between Panama and the U.S. government have further intensified as the Panamanian president, José Raúl Mulino, navigates domestic pressures and external threats regarding the management of deportation flights. The current framework for handling these deportees illustrates ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policies and their consequences on human rights and international relations.