Nearly 300 migrants deported from the United States, including a significant number of Indians, are being held at a hotel in Panama as deportation hurdles complicate their return to home countries. Images of detainees holding “please help us” signs on hotel windows have drawn international attention, raising questions about the handling of undocumented immigrants.
US Struggles to Deport Migrants, Uses Panama as Stop-Over
A large portion of the detainees hail from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Vietnam, and Iran, according to an Associated Press report. The US has been facing logistical and diplomatic challenges in deporting individuals to certain nations, leading to Panama serving as a temporary transit point.
Panama’s Security Minister Frank Abrego clarified that the migrants were “not being deprived of their freedom” and were in the custody of authorities for “their protection.” He added that food and medical assistance were being provided as part of a migration agreement between the US and Panama.
Detainees Express Fear, Seek Assistance
Photos and videos circulating online show migrants in the Decapolis Hotel in Panama City pressing handwritten messages against the glass. Some signs read, “We are not safe,” hinting at their fears and uncertainty over their fate. Outside the hotel, police officers have been stationed to ensure order.
Panama has now become a key transit country for deportees under a new agreement reached with the US following a visit from Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier this month. The US is fully funding the costs of holding these migrants in Panama while deportation logistics are sorted out.
What Happens to Those Who Refuse to Return?
The deportation process has presented an additional complication: not all detainees want to return to their home countries. According to Abrego, migrants unwilling to be repatriated will be relocated to a shelter in the Darien jungle, near Panama’s border with Colombia, while the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Refugee Agency work on alternative relocation solutions.
A total of 171 migrants have voluntarily agreed to return to their home countries. Meanwhile, 97 deportees who refused repatriation have already been transferred to the Darien camp, with more expected to follow.
Chinese Migrant Escapes Amid Rising Tensions
Amid the growing uncertainty, Panama’s National Immigration Service confirmed that a Chinese woman escaped from the hotel on Wednesday. She was later found near a migrant processing center along the Panama-Costa Rica border, a key transit area for individuals attempting to make their way to the US.
The incident highlights the increasing desperation among some deportees, as many have spent years in the US before being forced to leave.
India Sees Influx of Deportation Flights
In parallel, India has witnessed a surge in deportation flights, bringing back hundreds of illegal immigrants. Since February 5, at least 332 Indian nationals have been repatriated via three US military-operated C-17 aircraft landing in Amritsar.
- February 5: 104 deportees
- February 15: 116 deportees
- February 16: 112 deportees
Reports indicate that deportees on these flights were shackled and handcuffed throughout the journey, sparking outrage and further criticism of the US deportation policies.
With increasing scrutiny over deportation practices and growing resistance from migrants unwilling to return to their home countries, the situation remains fluid. The role of transit nations like Panama is now under the spotlight, as they grapple with the human and diplomatic complexities of the US deportation crackdown.
