“We’ve Been Abandoned; We Need Help“
Human Rights Organizations Criticize U.S. Immigration Policies and Panama’s Lack of Capacity
Panama City, Panama — Hundreds of migrants deported from the U.S. to Panama in recent months are calling for international assistance, stating they lack access to basic necessities and are struggling with feelings of abandonment. Many migrants, primarily from Central America and the Caribbean who were apprehended while attempting to reach the U.S., now face homelessness, unemployment, and social stigma in Panama after deportation.
“We’ve Lost Everything”
Among the deportees is María Gómez (34), who lived in the U.S. for over a decade before being detained. “Our children were in school, we had jobs. Now, we know no one in Panama. We’re sleeping on the streets,” she says. Gómez and others are staying in temporary shelters in Panama City, but these facilities are reportedly overwhelmed.
U.S. Policies and Humanitarian Concerns
According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), deportations to Panama rose by 40% in 2023 compared to the previous year. The Biden administration’s tightened border policies aim to expedite removals of undocumented migrants. However, human rights groups argue that deporting migrants to countries like Panama, which lack robust infrastructure, “deepens humanitarian crises.”
Amnesty International’s Latin America spokesperson, Elena Torres, stated, “The U.S. is violating international obligations by sending migrants to a country without security or economic opportunities.”
Panama’s Dilemma
Panama, already a transit route for migrants from Cuba, Venezuela, and Haiti, now shoulders the burden of supporting deportees. José Rodríguez, an official from Panama’s Migration Directorate, said, “We have cooperation agreements with the U.S., but our resources are limited. Without international aid, we cannot manage this crisis.”
Local NGOs highlight that many deportees lack identification documents, making them vulnerable to exploitation by criminal networks. The Panamanian Human Rights Association urges the government to provide temporary work permits and social support.
Backlash Against Deportation Agreements
The U.S.-Panama repatriation agreements, expanded under the Trump administration, face criticism for “depriving migrants of humanitarian aid.” Experts note that the Biden administration has continued similar policies.
Calls for Solutions
Deportees and advocates demand:
- Humane reception conditions,
- Legal and psychosocial support,
- Increased funding from international organizations.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has pledged to expand operations in the region, but resource allocation remains slow.
Deported migrants in Panama assert, “We are not just numbers. We are human and want to live,” underscoring the humanitarian dimensions of the global migration crisis. Rights groups stress that comprehensive international cooperation is the only path to resolution.
Note: Names have been changed for privacy. Updates to follow.
