In a dramatic shift in deportation policy, the Trump administration is leveraging its influence over Central American nations to accept not just their own deported citizens but also migrants from other parts of the globe. This strategy has prompted rising scrutiny and concern regarding the implications for Panama and Costa Rica, which have been receiving groups of migrants from various countries.
Historically, Central American countries have cooperated with U.S. deportation efforts by taking back their nationals. However, under the new administration directive, numerous individuals from Asia and the Middle East are now being transported and relocated to these nations, raising alarms about their ability to manage the influx.
Reports indicate that recent mass deportation flights have included hundreds of individuals who are abruptly transported—often without prior notice—to isolated shelters upon arrival. The Trump administration called on leaders in these nations to accept the deportees, suggesting heightened compliance might be enforced through economic threats such as tariffs.
While the total number of non-Central American individuals being deported remains small at this juncture, regional experts warn that an escalation in deportation activities could prove unmanageable. "They’re powerless to do anything,” Christopher Sabatini, a senior research fellow at Chatham House, noted, pointing out that resistance could invite adverse repercussions such as sanctions.
In recent operations, the U.S. dispatched military flights, including three carrying about 300 migrants to Panama, along with additional flights to Costa Rica that featured a striking demographic mix, including a significant number of children. As these deportations unfold, the situation is garnering increased attention, indicating a potentially stressful new era in U.S.-Central America relations amidst ongoing immigration challenges.
