🚨 'Please Help Us': Indian Deportees in Panama Seek Assistance Amid Uncertain Future 🌍✈️
- MediaFx
- Feb 20
- 2 min read
TL;DR: Nearly 300 migrants, including Indians, deported from the U.S. are currently held in a Panama hotel. Many are pleading for help, displaying signs from their windows expressing fears for their safety if returned to their home countries. The Indian Embassy in Panama has assured that the Indian nationals are safe and is working closely with Panamanian authorities to ensure their well-being. This situation arises from an agreement where Panama serves as a transit point for deportees from the U.S., especially from countries challenging to deport to directly.
Stranded and Seeking Help:
In a distressing scene, migrants deported from the U.S., including several Indians, are currently confined to the Decapolis Hotel in Panama City. Under police guard and prohibited from leaving, many have resorted to holding up handwritten signs from their windows with messages like "Please help us" and "We are not safe in our country." These individuals hail from various nations, including India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China. Their deportation is part of the U.S. administration's intensified crackdown on illegal immigration.
India's Response:
The Indian Embassy in Panama has acknowledged the presence of Indian nationals among the deportees. In a statement, the embassy confirmed that the individuals are "safe and secure at a hotel with all essential facilities." The embassy has obtained consular access and is collaborating closely with the Panamanian government to ensure their well-being. An emergency contact number has been provided for Indian deportees in Panama: +507 62213065.
Panama's Role as a Transit Point:
Panama has agreed to act as a transit country for deportees from the U.S., especially for those from nations where direct deportation is challenging. This arrangement is part of a broader agreement between Panama and the U.S. to manage the flow of migrants. Public Security Minister Frank Abrego stated that while 171 of the 299 migrants have agreed to return to their home countries, approximately 40% are unwilling to do so voluntarily. Those unwilling to return may be transferred to a shelter in the Darien jungle region near the Colombian border until alternative solutions are found.
Concerns and Criticisms:
The situation has drawn criticism from human rights groups and legal experts. Concerns have been raised about the legality of detaining migrants in hotels and the potential risks they face if returned to their countries of origin. Some migrants have expressed fears for their safety, stating they are not safe in their home countries. Legal experts have described the detention as potentially illegal and a violation of international human rights standards.
MediaFx Opinion:
This situation highlights the harsh realities faced by migrants, often driven by economic hardships and seeking better opportunities. The current approach, focusing on stringent immigration policies and deportations, fails to address the root causes of migration. A more compassionate and equitable solution would involve international cooperation to improve economic conditions in migrants' home countries, reducing the need for such perilous journeys. It's imperative to view this issue through a humanitarian lens, ensuring that the rights and dignity of all individuals are upheld, and working towards a world where migration is a choice rather than a necessity.
