Panama has transferred about one-third of the deportees it received from the United States to a camp in its Darien province. These deportees, primarily from Asian countries, had refused voluntary repatriation and will be held in the camp until third countries can be found to take them. The move comes as the U.S. government, under the administration of President Donald Trump, aims to accelerate deportations.
The transfer to the camp in Darien province is part of Panama’s agreement to serve as a transit point for migrants who are difficult for the U.S. to deport directly to their countries of origin. While some migrants have agreed to return voluntarily, others, including a group sent to the camp, await further arrangements. The Darien Gap, where the camp is located, serves as a key transit point for migrants traveling from South America to the U.S. border.
The Panamanian government has denied that the migrants are detained, but they are under police guard in a Panama City hotel until travel plans are finalized. Security Minister Frank Abrego has also noted that some migrants have been recaptured after attempting to escape, blaming human traffickers for their brief getaway.
The situation highlights the complexities of international migration and the challenges countries face in managing deportations and repatriations. As the process unfolds, more updates are expected regarding the fate of the deportees in Panama.
Attribution:
This article was summarized and republished from the original source.
Please check the original article here: https://www.npr.org/2025/02/20/nx-s1-5303951/panama-us-migrants-darien-deportation.