Panama City Migrants 2025: Caught in Limbo Amid U.S.-Panama Deportation Deal
Panama City migrants face an uncertain future after being deported under a U.S.-Panama agreement. Learn about the crisis, human rights concerns, and what happens next.
Background of the Crisis
On Saturday, March 9, 2025, Panamanian authorities released dozens of migrants who had been detained for weeks in a remote immigration camp. The detainees, primarily from China, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and Nepal, were deported from the United States under a recent agreement between the Trump administration and the governments of Panama and Costa Rica. This deal aimed to speed up deportations by using Panama and Costa Rica as temporary holding locations while authorities arranged to send the migrants back to their home countries.
The agreement has drawn criticism from human rights organizations, who argue that the U.S. is shifting its deportation responsibilities to other nations without considering the impact on vulnerable migrants. Many of these migrants were fleeing persecution, violence, and political repression, hoping to seek asylum in the U.S.
Credit For Video Goes To: Associated Press
Life in Detention: Harsh Conditions and Human Rights Concerns
During their detention, Panama City migrants reported harsh living conditions in a remote camp near Panama’s border with Colombia. Their phones were confiscated, they had limited access to legal aid, and they were not told what would happen to them. Many described scarce food, extreme heat, and a lack of medical care.
One Afghan migrant, Hayatullah Omagh, a member of the Hazara ethnic minority, explained why returning home was not an option:
“I can’t go back to Afghanistan under any circumstances… they want to kill me.”
Another migrant, Nikita Gaponov, a 27-year-old from Russia, fled due to persecution for being part of the LGBTQ+ community. He was detained at the U.S. border but denied the chance to apply for asylum.
“Once I get off the bus, I’ll be sleeping on the ground tonight,” Gaponov said after being released in Panama City.
Reports from inside the camp described migrants suffering from illnesses without access to medical care. Some had gone days without proper food, while others experienced violence from security personnel.
International Pressure and Migrant Release
The situation sparked international concern when Panama City migrants detained in a hotel held up signs asking for help. Human rights organizations and legal experts warned that Panama and Costa Rica were turning into “black holes” for deportees, where people were trapped without a clear path forward.
After weeks of lawsuits and international pressure, Panama released about 65 migrants into Panama City at 8 PM local time on March 9, 2025. Authorities gave them 30 days to leave Panama, with a possible 60-day extension. However, without financial help, housing, or legal support, many now find themselves in a desperate situation.
Struggles of the Released Migrants
Upon their arrival in Panama City, migrants were met by human rights organizations trying to provide them with food, shelter, and medical aid. Some of those released needed urgent medical care, including:
- A migrant with diabetes who had gone weeks without insulin.
- A deportee with HIV who lacked access to medicine.
- An individual suffering from severe vomiting due to poor nutrition.
Despite the Panamanian government’s claim that they offered deportees the option of moving to a third country, many Panama City migrants said they were never given a real chance to apply for asylum or legal relocation.
“None of them wants to stay in Panama. They want to go to the U.S.,” said Panama’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Carlos Ruiz-Hernandez.
What Happens Next?
Some migrants are hoping to stay in Panama temporarily, while others are still determined to reach the U.S. One woman from China, who wished to remain anonymous, said:
“I still want to go to the United States and fulfill my American dream.”
With tightening U.S. immigration policies and Central America becoming a deportation hub, the future of Panama City migrants remains uncertain. Many have nowhere to go, and with little financial support, they are struggling to survive in Panama City.
Impact on U.S. Policy and Immigration Debate
The U.S. government’s handling of asylum seekers has sparked debate among policymakers. Supporters of stricter immigration policies argue that fast-tracked deportations help maintain border security. Critics, however, argue that the lack of due process and humanitarian consideration violates international refugee laws.
Some U.S. lawmakers have called for an investigation into the conditions migrants face in detention centers and greater oversight of international deportation agreements. The treatment of Panama City migrants has led to increased scrutiny over whether these policies align with America’s humanitarian commitments.
A Growing Humanitarian Crisis
The unfolding situation in Panama City highlights a global migration crisis. Countries are struggling to balance border security with human rights, leaving thousands of people stranded and vulnerable.
As international agencies monitor the crisis, one thing is clear: governments must find a more humane approach to handling migration, ensuring that asylum seekers and deportees are treated with dignity and given fair legal opportunities.
For now, the Panama City migrants remain in limbo, waiting for answers, support, and a chance at a better future.