A group of nearly 300 migrants from Asia, all deported by the US, were held in a hotel in Panama City as part of the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign. The Panamanian authorities agreed to take them in and eventually repatriate them, but lawyers representing some migrants say their conditions are distressing and may have violated their rights.
The migrants arrived at the Decapolis Hotel with little notice, only to find themselves trapped for days without stepping foot outside. Some didn’t even know they were being deported until landing in Panama, according to attorney Ali Herischi. The conditions have been described as isolating, with language barriers and constant fear of repatriation.
Iranian national Artemis Ghasemzadeh, who fled her country due to persecution for converting to Christianity, now worries about her life being at risk if she’s returned. She was transferred to a remote camp in the Darién Jungle, where conditions have been described as “tough” and dirty with limited access to medication.
Attorneys representing some migrants say they were blocked from meeting their clients and signing necessary documents, leading to emotional outbursts and pleas for help. The Panamanian government has denied any laws have been violated, but lawyers plan to file legal action against Panama and the US.
Over 100 migrants have refused repatriation, with the IOM working to find a third country that will accept them. The situation remains uncertain, with some migrants facing potential reprisals from their home countries if returned.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/22/americas/migrants-deported-camp-panama-intl-latam/index.html