U.S. Deports Migrants to Panama, Over 170 Agree to Return Home

The United States has sent approximately 300 migrants from various countries to Panama on military deportation flights. Over 170 of these migrants have agreed to be deported back to their home countries. These individuals primarily originate from Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, where deportation flights are either not accepted or only accepted sparingly.

The Trump administration has been pressuring Latin American countries to accept these migrants as part of its efforts to increase deportations and crack down on unauthorized immigration. Currently, only Panama and Costa Rica have agreed to accept such migrants.

In Panama, the migrants are being held at the Decapolis Hotel Panama, a high-rise hotel with glass panels located in the city center. Reporters from The New York Times were able to speak with several individuals at the hotel, including some from Iran and China, who stated that they had fled their home countries due to threats to their lives.

Approximately 150 migrants who have not agreed to be deported will be relocated from the hotel to a camp near the Darién Gap, a dense jungle region. Panama's security minister, Frank Ábrego, stated at a press conference that these migrants will remain at the San Vicente camp until they are offered asylum in a third country where they feel safe.