Asylum seekers deported from the United States to Panama face an uncertain future as their temporary visas expire and options for resettlement dwindle.
At a Glance
- Nearly 300 asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Russia, Iran, and China were deported from the U.S. to Panama in February
- Many deportees were initially detained in hotels before being moved to remote jungle camps with limited access to legal and medical resources
- Panama granted deportees temporary humanitarian visas, but with few long-term options
- Human rights organizations claim these deportations violate U.S. and international refugee protection laws
- Deportees face significant challenges including language barriers, limited resources, and uncertainty about their future
Deportation Crisis in Panama
The Trump administration’s tightened border policies have resulted in a troubling situation for hundreds of asylum seekers now stranded in Panama. Since February, the U.S. has deported nearly 300 individuals to Panama, using the Central American nation as a stopover for difficult deportations. These migrants, primarily from Afghanistan, Russia, Iran, and China, are now desperately seeking assistance from embassies and consulates in Panama City, often with little success.
“After this, we don’t know what we’ll do,” said Hayatullah Omagh, one of the deportees, who also pleaded, “please don’t let me be sent back to Afghanistan, a place where there is no way for me to survive.”
Panama initially detained these deportees in hotels before transferring some to remote camps in the Darien jungle, a notoriously dangerous region. The Panamanian government later granted them temporary humanitarian visas offering a 30-day stay, which has since been extended. However, these short-term solutions do little to address the fundamental issue of these individuals’ need for permanent protection.
Legal Challenges and Human Rights Concerns
Human rights organizations have been vocal in their criticism of these deportation practices. These groups argue that the deportations lack legal authority, violate due process requirements, and contradict established refugee protection laws. Many deportees report being held in Panama without access to phones, legal representation, media contacts, or adequate medical care.
“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,” stated Eleanor Acer of Human Rights First.
Legal actions against Panama for its treatment of deportees have resulted in some injunctions that temporarily halted further deportations. These legal challenges highlight the complex diplomatic pressures at play, as smaller nations like Panama face significant political and economic incentives to cooperate with U.S. immigration demands despite the humanitarian concerns.
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
Human Cost of Policy Decisions
The personal toll of these deportation policies is evident in stories like that of Mellona Takie, an Eritrean woman who was deported to Panama and faced severe mental health challenges as a result. Currently housed in a gymnasium in Panama City run by the religious organization Fe y Alegría, Takie and other deportees live in a state of constant uncertainty about their futures.
“Even if I see something good, in my eyes, it’s bad,” Takie explained, reflecting the psychological impact of her displacement and uncertain legal status.
The United Nations refugee agency in Panama has been unable to effectively assist these migrants in seeking asylum in other countries due to government restrictions. This leaves many in a precarious limbo, unable to return to their dangerous home countries but with no clear path forward to permanent resettlement.
Regional Pressure and Responsibility
The U.S. has extended similar deportation arrangements to other Central American countries, including Costa Rica and El Salvador. In one controversial case, over 200 Venezuelan migrants were sent to El Salvador and reportedly accused of gang affiliation without evidence. These arrangements reflect a broader strategy to relocate asylum processing away from U.S. borders.
“It’s appropriate for states to collaborate on how to respond to migration, but the first principle of that has to be to ensure that the rights of all migrants are protected,” noted Ian Kysel, an expert on migration policy.
Critics argue that wealthier nations should bear greater responsibility for addressing the global refugee crisis rather than shifting the burden to countries with fewer resources. Human Rights First has called on Congress to exercise oversight to prevent taxpayer dollars from funding what they describe as illegal deportations that endanger vulnerable people fleeing persecution.
“It’s crucial that these people are not forgotten,” emphasized Álvaro Botero, highlighting the need for continued attention to the plight of these deportees as the world’s focus shifts to newer crises.
