As international attention mounts, migrants seek help while facing bleak choices for their future.
"Desperate Pleas Echo from Panama's Temporary Custody Hotel for Deportees"
"Desperate Pleas Echo from Panama's Temporary Custody Hotel for Deportees"
Hundreds of undocumented migrants deported from the US find themselves in precarious conditions at a Panama City hotel.
In a striking scene at the Decápolis Hotel in Panama City, two young girls clutch a piece of paper reading, "Please help us," as they peer out of a window. This luxury hotel, typically known for its panoramic sea views and exclusive amenities, has become an unorthodox temporary holding facility for 299 undocumented migrants recently deported from the United States. The Panamanian government reported on Tuesday that these individuals arrived on three flights last week after President José Raúl Mulino authorized Panama to serve as a "bridge" for deportees.
Inside the hotel, tensions run high. Migrants convey their distress by raising their arms and crossing them at the wrists, a gesture signifying their confinement. Small signs dot the windows, displaying messages like, "We are not safe in our country." Among the 299 individuals, hailing from countries such as India, Iran, Afghanistan, and China, only 171 have expressed willingness to return home, while others face an uncertain fate as Panamanian authorities dictate their next steps.
Once bustling with tourists, the Decápolis Hotel is now under tight security, with armed officers from the Panamanian National Aeronaval Service monitoring the premises. Laundry hangs in the windows, revealing glimpses of daily life for those inside, including a Los Angeles Lakers jersey in honor of the late Kobe Bryant. Some family members hold signs imploring for assistance, with messages like, "Help us," visible to passersby.
An Iranian resident in Panama is in touch with some of the migrants and relays their fears of returning to Iran. She visited the hotel, hoping to offer her services as a Farsi translator, only to be informed that a translator was already present—a claim disputed by the migrants. Utilizing a hidden phone, they communicated fears of being deprived of legal representation and basic needs such as food.
Despite reaching out to both the hotel and the Panamanian government for comment on living conditions, no responses were provided. From a government perspective, Minister of Public Security Frank Ábrego maintains that migrants' confinement is crucial for local safety. A video shared on social media depicted one deportee narrating her perilous journey and her impending return to a dangerous situation if sent back to Iran.
ABrego stated that the migrants would be held temporarily under government protection. He emphasized that those unwilling to repatriate must consider a third country, with organizations like the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) facilitating potential transitions.
An IOM spokesperson assured that while they are not responsible for the detention process, they are committed to ensuring the treatment of migrants aligns with international standards. With the influx of deportees expected to cease, the spotlight remains on Panama as it navigates the complexities of international immigration diplomacy, particularly in dealing with nationals from countries that resist accepting their citizens back.
As tensions continue to rise and humanitarian concerns deepen, the fate of these migrants stands at a precarious crossroads, awaiting further decisions and possible resolutions.
Inside the hotel, tensions run high. Migrants convey their distress by raising their arms and crossing them at the wrists, a gesture signifying their confinement. Small signs dot the windows, displaying messages like, "We are not safe in our country." Among the 299 individuals, hailing from countries such as India, Iran, Afghanistan, and China, only 171 have expressed willingness to return home, while others face an uncertain fate as Panamanian authorities dictate their next steps.
Once bustling with tourists, the Decápolis Hotel is now under tight security, with armed officers from the Panamanian National Aeronaval Service monitoring the premises. Laundry hangs in the windows, revealing glimpses of daily life for those inside, including a Los Angeles Lakers jersey in honor of the late Kobe Bryant. Some family members hold signs imploring for assistance, with messages like, "Help us," visible to passersby.
An Iranian resident in Panama is in touch with some of the migrants and relays their fears of returning to Iran. She visited the hotel, hoping to offer her services as a Farsi translator, only to be informed that a translator was already present—a claim disputed by the migrants. Utilizing a hidden phone, they communicated fears of being deprived of legal representation and basic needs such as food.
Despite reaching out to both the hotel and the Panamanian government for comment on living conditions, no responses were provided. From a government perspective, Minister of Public Security Frank Ábrego maintains that migrants' confinement is crucial for local safety. A video shared on social media depicted one deportee narrating her perilous journey and her impending return to a dangerous situation if sent back to Iran.
ABrego stated that the migrants would be held temporarily under government protection. He emphasized that those unwilling to repatriate must consider a third country, with organizations like the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) facilitating potential transitions.
An IOM spokesperson assured that while they are not responsible for the detention process, they are committed to ensuring the treatment of migrants aligns with international standards. With the influx of deportees expected to cease, the spotlight remains on Panama as it navigates the complexities of international immigration diplomacy, particularly in dealing with nationals from countries that resist accepting their citizens back.
As tensions continue to rise and humanitarian concerns deepen, the fate of these migrants stands at a precarious crossroads, awaiting further decisions and possible resolutions.
