In Panama City, a luxury hotel has turned into an unusual shelter for migrants. At the Decápolis Hotel, two young girls pressed a note to the window asking for help. Although the hotel boasts beautiful sea views, fine dining, and a spa, it is now housing 299 undocumented migrants who were recently deported from the U.S. This situation has gained attention due to the migrants’ desperate pleas for assistance.
Many of the migrants show signs of distress. Some use hand signals to indicate they are not free, while others display messages stating their fears, saying, “We are not safe in our country.” These individuals were sent to Panama after the U.S. government initiated a deportation policy aimed at those who illegally crossed its borders.
Among the migrants, there’s a diverse mix of people from countries like India, China, Vietnam, and Afghanistan. While 171 individuals have agreed to return home, many are left uncertain about their fate. The Panamanian government plans to move them to a camp in the Darién province, which is known for housing travelers on their way to the U.S.
The once-bustling hotel has now become heavily guarded. Armed forces are ensuring strict security, limiting access for the migrants. Laundry hangs in the hotel windows, including a yellow Los Angeles Lakers jersey. From one window, a group of adults and children displayed words of help, while two children held signs pleading for assistance for Afghan girls.
These migrants face serious issues. An Iranian woman, in contact with one of the hotel residents, expressed that the individuals held there are “terrified” of being sent back to their home countries. Many report being denied basic rights, like access to lawyers or the freedom to leave their rooms, even for meals.
As news spread about the migrants’ detainment, security protocols tightened. Officials cut off their access to the internet, hampering communication with the outside world. The authorities defended their actions, stating that the migrants are in protective custody, aiming to maintain public order.
Panama’s Minister of Public Security, Frank Ábrego, emphasized the temporary nature of this situation. Those unwilling to return home must find a third country willing to accept them, a process complicated by international relations and ongoing negotiations over deportees.
As the situation develops, humanitarian organizations like the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are working to assist the migrants. They aim to secure safe returns and support those seeking asylum. Experts point out that many of these deportees hail from nations reluctant to accept them back, presenting a diplomatic challenge.
The world watches closely as Panama navigates this complex crisis, balancing its international agreements with the humanity of the individuals caught in this dilemma. In a time when global migration continues to rise, stories like these highlight the challenges faced by those seeking refuge or a better life amidst geopolitical tensions.
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