An alarming development unfolds as nearly a hundred migrants, including children, find themselves in dire circumstances after being deported from the United States to Panama, where they are now held in a primitive jungle detention camp.
Migrants in Jungle Camp: A Closer Look at Panama’s Detention Facilities
Migrants in Jungle Camp: A Closer Look at Panama’s Detention Facilities
Migrants recently deported from the U.S. to a remote Panama camp report harsh conditions.
In a disturbing new chapter of the ongoing immigration crisis, nearly 100 migrants recently expelled under the Trump administration's expansive deportation strategy have been relocated from a hotel in Panama City to a remote detention facility surrounded by the jungle. Those transported to the camp late Tuesday night described the alarming conditions they encountered.
Artemis Ghasemzadeh, a 27-year-old migrant from Iran, poignantly remarked, “It looks like a zoo, there are fenced cages.” Her comments reflect the frightening reality facing detainees, which also includes eight children, as they navigate a site lacking basic sanitation and health provisions. Reports indicate that diseases such as dengue are prevalent in the region, and the Panamanian government has restricted access for journalists and humanitarian organizations to assess the situation.
After a grueling four-hour bus ride from Panama City, refugees expressed their fear and confusion as they settled into their new environment. With inadequate food—reportedly just a stale piece of bread—and forced to sit on the dirt floor, the detainees are left to ponder the duration of their stay in such distressing circumstances.
This current transfer stems from a week-long saga among a larger group of around 300 migrants who arrived seeking asylum in the United States. However, their hopes have been dashed as they are now relocated to a facility that raises legal concerns, especially given that Panama law mandates that individuals cannot be detained for more than 24 hours absent a court ruling.
The latest events highlight the complex interplay of international immigration policies and the human cost associated with them, leaving a once hopeful pursuit of asylum in jeopardy.
