Asylum seekers deported from the U.S. to Panama find themselves trapped in a diplomatic limbo with dwindling options and uncertain futures.
At a Glance
- Nearly 300 people seeking asylum were deported from the U.S. to Panama in February, including migrants from Afghanistan, Russia, Iran, and China
- Deportees face severe challenges including detention in jungle camps, limited resources, language barriers, and restricted movement
- Panama granted temporary humanitarian visas to deportees, but pathways to permanent resettlement remain unclear
- Human rights organizations claim these deportations violate U.S. and international laws protecting refugees from persecution
- The situation highlights growing tensions as the U.S. pressures countries like Panama, Costa Rica, and El Salvador to accept deportees
Stranded in Panama: The Plight of U.S. Deportees
Hundreds of asylum seekers who had hoped to find safety in America now find themselves stranded in Panama after being deported from the United States. In February alone, the U.S. deported nearly 300 people to Panama, using the Central American nation as a stopover for complex deportation cases. These migrants, primarily from Afghanistan, Russia, Iran, and China, have been desperately visiting embassies and consulates in Panama City seeking any pathway to safety or permanent resettlement.
“After this, we don’t know what we’ll do,” said Hayatullah Omagh, one of the deportees. “Please don’t let me be sent back to Afghanistan, a place where there is no way for me to survive.”
The situation has created a humanitarian crisis that neither the deportees nor Panama was prepared to handle. Some migrants were initially detained in hotels before being transferred to remote detention facilities in the Darien jungle. Others were held without access to phones, lawyers, medical care, or contact with the outside world. Many had their personal belongings, including phones, confiscated upon arrival, further isolating them from potential support networks.
Detention Conditions and Human Rights Concerns
The treatment of asylum seekers in Panama has raised serious human rights concerns. Those deported were initially detained in facilities that lacked adequate resources for their basic needs. The journey from hopeful asylum seeker to unwanted deportee has taken a severe toll on the mental health of many, including Mellona Takie, an Eritrean woman who was unexpectedly sent to Panama after seeking protection in the United States.
Human Rights First has condemned these deportations, characterizing them as violations of both U.S. and international refugee law. The organization has called for an immediate end to what they describe as “unlawful deportations” and urged Congress to prevent taxpayer dollars from funding practices that potentially violate legal protections for those fleeing persecution.
A must read profile via the @nytimes of an Iranian woman seeking asylum from religious persecution who was deported by the Trump admin.
This deportation violates asylum laws enacted by Congress & the third country deportation also lacks a legal basis. https://t.co/ruiII7IbIz
— Eleanor Acer (@AcereEleanor) February 24, 2025
Panama’s Response and Legal Challenges
Facing international pressure and domestic legal challenges, Panama has taken steps to address the situation. The government eventually granted temporary humanitarian visas to the deportees, initially allowing them a 30-day stay which has since been extended. Many of the deportees are now staying in a gymnasium in Panama City operated by the religious organization Fe y Alegría, which provides basic shelter and services.
“The Trump administration’s horrifying deportations of people seeking asylum violate U.S. and international laws that protect people from return to political, religious and other persecution,” said Eleanor Acer of Human Rights First.
Panama itself has faced legal challenges and injunctions related to its treatment of the deportees. Courts have intervened in some cases, particularly concerning the detention of children and families. These legal actions have achieved some success in improving conditions and halting further deportations. Meanwhile, the United Nations refugee agency in Panama has been unable to help migrants seek asylum in other countries due to government restrictions on their mandate.
Regional Pressures and Diplomatic Tensions
The deportation crisis highlights growing tensions in the region as the United States applies diplomatic pressure on countries like Panama, Costa Rica, and El Salvador to accept deportees. These nations, often with limited resources themselves, are struggling to accommodate the influx of people who have no connection to their countries. Over 200 Venezuelan migrants were reportedly sent to El Salvador accused of gang affiliation without evidence, creating additional regional strains.
“Panama wanted to provide a show of good will [toward the U.S.] by receiving deportees, but it backfired,” explained Diego Chaves-González, an expert on the situation.
The pressures on Panama are particularly acute given other diplomatic considerations, including issues related to the Panama Canal and potential U.S. troop deployments. Humanitarian advocates emphasize that while regional cooperation on migration is necessary, it must prioritize human rights and dignity. For now, those deported to Panama remain in limbo, their futures uncertain as they search for any country willing to offer them permanent protection.
“It’s crucial that these people are not forgotten,” stressed Álvaro Botero, who works with migrants in the region.
