In a significant development reported on Friday, Panama announced its decision to grant freedom of movement within the country to 112 migrants previously deported from the United States. This group, detained in a remote camp located in the Darien region since the previous month, will be given the opportunity to decide on their future steps without restriction. These migrants, primarily from several Asian countries, will receive temporary humanitarian passes allowing them to reside in Panama while they contemplate their next decisions. According to Panama’s Security Minister, Frank Ábrego, these documents will offer initial protection for 30 days and may be extended if necessary.
The Panamanian government’s decision reportedly stems from humanitarian concerns, as confirmed by Minister Ábrego. However, human rights advocates have raised alarms that this move might serve to deflect international criticism while simultaneously placing the migrants in perilous situations. Ábrego noted that the individuals chose to manage their accommodations and onward journeys independently, refusing assistance from international agencies like the International Organization for Migration and the U.N. Refugee Agency.
The controversy surrounding the migrants’ treatment has attracted both local and international attention. Human rights lawyers had previously brought this issue before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights following reports of harsh conditions at the San Vicente camp. This situation began escalating after most migrants were transferred from a Panama City hotel, where they had been held under police supervision. Those who did not agree to voluntary repatriation were subsequently moved to the more isolated camp.
Álvaro Botero, a lawyer representing some migrants, expressed concern that these temporary permits serve as a ploy for Panamanian authorities to divest themselves of responsibility for individuals who have credible asylum claims. He cautioned against the assumed safety of these permits, which compel the migrant recipients to leave Panama after the duration, stressing that deportation is not a solution that aligns with international protection standards for asylum seekers.
Meanwhile, despite having their communication devices confiscated, some migrants have covertly contacted the outside world using hidden phones. Botero reported on a situation where migrants were requested to sign a document related to their permits. His legal team urged the migrants to refrain from signing without having full legal scrutiny of the document’s terms.
The establishment of the San Vicente camp, initially intended for those traversing the perilous Darien Gap towards the U.S., now stands as a reflection of a shifting migration pattern influenced by policies under President Trump, which restricted asylum access at the U.S. border. This policy pivot prompted a reversal in migration, with Panama and Costa Rica noting an increased southbound migratory flow.
Efforts by the Panamanian and Costa Rican authorities to manage these populations have been partly shaped by U.S.-backed agreements, where these nations serve as temporary holding areas for deportees awaiting their ultimate relocation. Secret communications from the camp describe dire conditions, with reports of heat, pest infestations, and lack of transparency regarding their fate contributing to unrest, including at least one hunger strike and a small riot when communication privileges were impeded.
These conditions have drawn further scrutiny, yet Panamanian officials have not publicly addressed the concerning reports nor permitted media access to directly verify and document the situation within the camp.
