The Trump administration deported over 100 migrants from several Asian nations to Panama on Wednesday, marking a new front in its efforts to conduct mass removals of unauthorized immigrants. The migrants, including families from countries such as Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan, were flown out of California on a US military plane and arrived at an airport outside Panama City.
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino announced that the migrants would be housed in a local hotel and then moved to a shelter in Darién province. He said they would be repatriated to their countries of origin, with the US providing flights funded by the American government.
The move could signal a significant increase in deportations as the Trump administration faces pressure from China over its role in the Panama Canal. Some Latin American countries have agreed to assist in deporting migrants, but critics have raised concerns about the potential risks faced by those being repatriated.
Two more US Air Force flights carrying approximately 360 deported migrants are expected to arrive in Panama, with plans to fly them directly to their countries of origin from Darién. The International Organization for Migration has offered support to the recently arrived migrants and is working with local officials to assist with their returns.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/13/us/politics/trump-deportations-panama.html