Indians Among 300 Deportees Detained in Panama Hotel: Demands for Repatriation are Growing

In a developing international story, nearly 300 deportees, including approximately 50 Indians, are currently held in a hotel in Panama as the Central American nation coordinates with international authorities to arrange their repatriation. The deportees, originating from 10 Asian countries—including Iran, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China—were sent to Panama under a new migration agreement with the United States.

The migrants, confined to their hotel rooms, have displayed placards bearing messages such as “Help” and “We are not save (sic) in our country.” Authorities disclosed that over 40% of the migrants have expressed unwillingness to voluntarily return to their homeland, complicating the repatriation process.

Panama Steps In as a Transit Nation

Panama’s security minister, Frank Abrego, confirmed that the deportees held in the Panama hotel are receiving medical attention and food as part of the migration agreement between Panama and the US. The Panamanian government has assumed the role of a “bridge” nation, providing temporary shelter while the US bears all operational costs.

This arrangement, announced after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit earlier this month, aims to streamline the deportation process for migrants from countries unwilling or unable to accept their citizens back. Panama, alongside Costa Rica, is playing a critical role in this initiative.

Indian Government’s Response

As news of the detained Indians surfaced, the Indian Embassy in Panama reassured families and the public that the migrants are safe.

“Panamanian authorities have informed us that a group of Indians have reached Panama from the US. They are safe and secure at a hotel with all essential facilities. The Embassy team has obtained consular access,” the embassy stated on X (formerly Twitter).

Indian authorities have begun verifying the nationality of the presumed Indian citizens. Once confirmed, they will be issued emergency certificates to facilitate their return to India.

Political Fallout in India

The situation has sparked political controversy in India. Opposition leaders criticized the Indian government for failing to prevent the deportation of Indian citizens to a third country. Rajya Sabha MP and Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh voiced his concerns on X, stating:

“We would have thought that Indian citizens deported by the Trump Administration would be sent back to India with dignity. Such deportations have taken place in a most inhuman and demeaning manner. Now come reports that more Indian citizens have been deported but to Panama. What is going on?”

This criticism highlights growing discontent over how Indian deportees are handled under the US’s intensified crackdown on illegal immigration.

International Repercussions and US Policy Stance

The United States’ move to deport undocumented migrants to Central American nations instead of their home countries has drawn international attention. According to Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino, the latest batch of deportees includes individuals from Afghanistan, China, India, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

US Vice President JD Vance, addressing the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Maryland, underscored the US administration’s tough stance on illegal immigration. Vance called illegal migration the “greatest threat” to both the US and Europe, criticizing Western leaders for allowing unvetted foreign migrants into their countries.

“The greatest threat in Europe, and I’d say the greatest threat in the US until about 30 days ago, is that you’ve had the leaders of the West decide that they should send millions and millions of unvetted foreign migrants into their countries,” Vance said.

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