Hundreds of Deported Migrants Await Uncertain Fate in Panama Hotel

The Decápolis Hotel in Panama City has become a temporary shelter for 299 migrants deported from the US, who demand assistance and fear returning to their homelands. Amid heightened security, they express desperation through signs and messages, while the Panamanian government manages their uncertain future.

In a striking scene at the luxurious Decápolis Hotel in Panama City, two young girls pressed a note against the window, pleading, "Please help us." Once a destination for travelers seeking the hotel's sea views, fine dining, and spa services, the establishment is now a makeshift facility for 299 undocumented migrants deported from the United States, as confirmed by the Panamanian government.

The migrants, hailing from countries such as India, China, Iran, and Afghanistan, recently arrived in Panama on three flights after President José Raúl Mulino's agreement to act as a "bridge" for deportees. As part of a new policy under the Trump administration, which promised to amplify deportations, these individuals now raise their arms in despair, signifying their lack of freedom and asserting, "We are not safe in our country."

While 171 migrants consented to return to their cities of origin, the remaining individuals face an unclear future as Panama assumes control over their situation. An imminent transfer to a migrant camp in the Darién province is expected, where individuals often pass through while attempting to reach the US.

Outside, security is evident; personnel from the National Aeronaval Service patrol the hotel, enforcing stringent measures. Migrants, expressing their dire need for help, have used various methods to communicate with the outside world. In a poignant display, children pressed messages against the glass, including urgent pleas for assistance and the safety of girls from Afghanistan.

An Iranian expatriate reached out to one of the migrants, sharing concerns about their fate, especially regarding the likely repercussions if returned to Iran. She noted that reports of denied legal representation within the hotel add to the refugees' anxiety. Following coverage of their situation, management tightened restrictions, including internet access.

In response to inquiries about the conditions within the hotel, Panama's Minister of Public Security, Frank Ábrego, emphasized the need to protect Panama's citizens while restricting the migrants' movement. He reiterated that migrants would remain under the country's care as negotiations about their future continue, warning those who refuse repatriation may have to select a third country to reside in.

Although the International Organization for Migration has pledged support for the migrants, addressing their needs remains a complex issue, compounded by diplomatic challenges regarding the return of individuals to nations reluctant to accept them. As observers note, Panama's decision to serve as a "bridge" for US deportations complicates the matter further, pushing them to navigate negotiations with various governments.

With additional flights of deportees from the US expected, attention now turns to the implications of these developments on the lives of those caught in a cycle of migration, deportation, and uncertainty.