US deports hundreds including Pakistanis

At least 300 deportees, including Pakistani nationals, are stranded in a Panama hotel, awaiting repatriation after being expelled from the United States under former President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration, according to the Associated Press (AP).

Some detainees have displayed messages in hotel windows, pleading for help and expressing fears for their safety if returned home. The group includes migrants from ten countries, including Pakistan, India, Iran, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and China.

The United States has been using Panama as a transit hub for deporting individuals, especially when direct repatriation is not possible. Panama’s Security Minister, Frank Abrego, stated that the migrants are receiving food and medical assistance under a migration agreement with the US. This arrangement, finalized during US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit, ensures that the US covers all costs.

Out of the 299 deportees, 171 have agreed to return home with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Refugee Agency. Meanwhile, 128 are in discussions with UN agencies to explore relocation options. One Irish citizen has already been repatriated.

Migrants who refuse to return home will be temporarily moved to a facility in Panama’s Darien province, a key route for those traveling north. Authorities continue to manage the situation while ensuring compliance with international migration policies.