Indians among 300 deportees from US held in Panama hotel

Nearly 300 deportees, the majority of whom belong to nationals from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, and China, have been detained at a Panama hotel amid Donald Trump's massive crackdown.
Panama is being used as a stop-over as the US is facing difficulties in the deportation process in some of these nations.

Global news networks have shared pictures of desperate deportees holding up signages which say, “Please help us,” and “We are not save (sic) in our country” while police officers guarded the premises.

The migrants are getting medical aid and food as part of a migration agreement between Panama and the US, said Panama's Security Minister Frank Abrego.

However, they are prohibited from leaving the hotel as authorities arrange for their return to their countries.

Trump 2.0 administration has heavily come down on illegal immigrants with a massive crackdown in which hundreds of deportees, including Indians, have been sent back in military aircraft.

Abrego also stated that 171 of the 299 deportees have agreed to return to their respective countries with assistance from the International Organization for Migration and the UN Refugee Agency.

Meanwhile, 128 migrants remain in processing, as efforts continue to secure alternative destinations for them in third countries.

The Panamanian government has agreed to act as a "bridge" for deportees, with the US covering all operational costs. This arrangement was announced earlier this month following a visit from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino faces mounting political pressure amid Trump’s threats to reclaim control of the Panama Canal, further complicating the situation.

Another country where third-country deportees will be sent is Costa Rica where the migrants will arrive next week.

India has connected with concerned authorities in Panama to ensure the safety and well-being of Indians among the illegal immigrants deported by the United States to the Latin American country, said the Indian Embassy in Panama.

“Panamanian authorities have informed us that a group of Indians have reached Panama from the US. They are safe and secure at a Hotel with all essential facilities. The embassy team has obtained consular access.

We are working closely with the host Government to ensure their wellbeing," the embassy wrote.

Till now, at least 332 illegal Indian immigrants have been deported with the first flight on Feb 5 that carried 104 deportees. The second and third flights arrived on Feb 15 and Feb 16 carrying 116 and 112 illegal immigrants respectively.

There has been a massive hue and cry over the mistreatment of deportees after they claimed they had been chained and handcuffed throughout their journey and were only freed after arriving in India.